PARIS—The discovery and elimination of a hazardous World War II bomb in Paris created hours-long havoc on the region’s transportation systems on Friday, leading to significant disruptions in both rail and road traffic. This turmoil included the halting of high-speed train services connecting Paris to London and Brussels.
Explosive ordnance experts skillfully managed to dismantle and safely remove the fuse of the half-ton British bomb after it was inadvertently unearthed by construction workers. “It was like something from a movie scene,” commented Christophe Pezron, the lead of the Paris police’s bomb disposal unit. The bomb, identified as potentially destructive had it detonated, was discovered during earth-moving operations.
The incident resulted in widespread inconvenience, affecting countless rail passengers and road users. The discovery near train tracks north of Paris necessitated a complete shutdown of the rail services that operate from the bustling Gare du Nord station. Key roadways, including sections of the A1 highway and parts of the city’s busy ring road, were also closed to ensure safety while procedures were underway.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot expressed relief after operations concluded late in the day, saying, “We’re delighted and relieved that all this has come to an end.” The incident left around half a million train passengers stranded, impacting spans all the way to international destinations such as the U.K., Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Eurostar, the train operator linking the U.K. through the Channel Tunnel, announced a return to the normal schedule on Saturday following a day filled with cancellations. Hundreds of regional and high-speed trains serving northern France were annulled, leading to chaotic changes in travel itineraries.
The effects of the disruption were felt across various stories: American tourist Gabrielle Cotton had her travel plans cut short in Brussels, and retiree Michel Garrot found himself unexpectedly marooned. Meanwhile, in London’s St. Pancras International station, concerned passengers scrambled for alternatives as normal schedules remained in limbo.
For others like bride-to-be Charlotte Liddell, the transport block meant missing out on special celebrations in Paris. Eurostar expressed sincere apologies for the turmoil caused by the bomb discovery.
The ticking threat was unearthed in the early hours by workers engaged in a bridge reconstruction project. Discovered about two meters underground, the bomb prompted the swift establishment of a safety perimeter that eventually expanded to 500 meters. Its potential to cause significant damage if mishandled was a pressing concern for authorities.
As a hub bustling with daily travelers, Gare du Nord’s standard attendance is roughly 700,000 passengers, marking it as Europe’s busiest train station. This event underscores the inevitable remnants of conflict as unexploded ordnance from World Wars continues to be unearthed throughout France.
Police noted this was the fourth such discovery in the area since 2019. The historical context remains poignant with the numerous bombing raids during World War II that ravaged nearby regions, even as Paris managed to avoid the level of destruction seen elsewhere in France. According to city records, more than 3,600 people were casualties of wartime bombings in and around Paris.
Nationally, post-World War II efforts have involved defusing around 700,000 aerial bombs and making safe millions of other explosive devices.
