About 700 passengers were stranded for over seven hours without power or working toilets when a Eurostar train from London to Amsterdam broke down overnight.
The train left London St Pancras in the morning (local time) without a hitch – but just 40 minutes later, it broke down, grinding to a halt at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel.
The Independent reports that, a few hours into the delay, the train was dragged a short distance before stopping again.
"We got as far as just before the Eurotunnel and then we were told that we would have to wait before going into the tunnel. Slowly over a period of a couple of hours, we found out it was a bit more serious than that," a passenger told the UK publication during the stop.
"Some sort of issue with the cables – electric cables – and the train just lost all power, basically.
"The toilets haven't been functioning properly. They can't do the announcements."
The passenger, named Ben Williams, said staff were stressed and passengers were offered a free food item about four or five hours in.
"To be honest, I've been pacing myself just because obviously the toilets aren't functioning," he said.
"Surely this sort of thing has happened before. They must have some kind of contingency plan in place so that people can use toilets properly and maybe get given some bottles of water and food after three or four hours?"
Another passenger told the BBC they were given water but no food, adding it was "just dreadful" and "freezing cold".
The toilets were completely blocked, the British broadcaster reports.
"Unfortunately for the staff on the train, no one's given them logistical support from head office," Williams said.
"So they're just having to deal with p***** off customers, basically."
A Eurostar spokesperson confirmed about 700 passengers and crew were on board.
The issue was caused when an overhead cable fell on the train, they added.
After dark had fallen, the train was finally moving again – on its way back to London.
"The situation was complicated due to the position of the train and the track infrastructure," a Eurostar tweet said.
The company said the train was detached from the overhead power lines during the incident.
"Eurostar are sorry for issues caused that customers have experienced today."
All passengers are due to receive "enhanced compensation".
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