Local media reported that the bomb was found “in middle of the tracks” during overnight works nearby France’s Gare du Nord station.
The Eurostar and local trains were disrupted at Paris’ central Gare du Nord station following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb nearby.
France’s national train operator SNCF said in a statement that traffic would be stopped at the Gare du Nord until mid-morning at the request of police.
“We invite travellers to postpone their trip,” it said.
French Transport Minister Phillipe Tabarot warned traffic would “strongly disrupted” throughout the day and that limited service would resume in the afternoon.
He urged travellers to postpone their trips.
Eurostar posted on its website that: “Due to an object on the tracks near Paris Gare du Nord, we are expecting disruption to our services this morning. Please change your journey for a different date of travel.”
The train operator added there would be an official update from midday.
Four trains from London’s St Pancras station to Paris Gare du Nord have been cancelled, alongside the six trains departing from Paris for London.
Local media reported the bomb was found during overnight works “in the middle of the tracks” in the nearby area of Saint-Denis, a Parisian suburb. Minesweepers have been sent to the site and their operation is still ongoing.
The Gare du Nord is a major European transit hub, serving international destinations north of France such as London, Brussels, and the Netherlands, as well as the main Paris airport and many regional destinations.
Bombs left over from World War I or World War II are regularly discovered around France but it is very rare to find them in such a people-packed location.
Tabarot, speaking on broadcaster Sud Radio, said local residents and people near the train stations should have “no fear” of a risk of explosion, stressing the procedures in place for defusing and removing such bombs.
Additional sources • AP
