Massive WWII Bomb Discovery Disrupts Paris Train Network
By Nairobian Staff
Paris commuters and international travelers faced major disruptions on Friday after the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near railway tracks outside the French capital. The 500-kilogram bomb, containing 200 kilograms of explosives, led to a temporary shutdown of train services to and from Gare du Nord, the busiest railway station in France.
Transport Chaos in Paris
Authorities halted all train traffic early Friday morning as bomb disposal teams worked to neutralize the device. The suspension affected domestic high-speed rail services and international Eurostar connections to London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Additionally, the RER B suburban train line—an essential link to Charles de Gaulle Airport—was suspended, leaving thousands stranded.
In London, anxious travelers gathered at St Pancras railway station, scrambling to make alternative arrangements. Among them was Michelle Abeyie, who had planned to celebrate her 40th birthday in Paris. “I’m really upset, disappointed, frustrated, and stressed. We had planned to visit the Louvre and the Moulin Rouge tonight,” she lamented.
Others, however, took the situation in stride. Owen Pritchard, a tourist from the UK, expressed understanding. “I don’t want to get on a train that runs over an unexploded WWII ordnance. I’d rather they clear it and ensure it’s safe to travel.”
A Rare Find from World War II
The bomb was uncovered during maintenance work in the Saint-Denis suburb, approximately 2.5 kilometers from Gare du Nord. Officials stated that the ordnance was discovered just 200 meters from the Paris ring road, prompting authorities to evacuate 200 residents and instruct others within a 500-meter radius to remain indoors.
Matthieu Chabanel, head of SNCF Reseau (France’s rail infrastructure management unit), noted that while wartime ordnance is still occasionally found in Europe, discovering one of this magnitude was exceptional. “The railway network was heavily bombed during World War II, especially in northern Paris, where there were also many factories,” he explained.
While it remains unclear who dropped the bomb and whether it predates or follows the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1940, its presence is a stark reminder of the war’s lasting impact on European infrastructure.
Passengers Left Frustrated
For many commuters, the transport crisis was more than just an inconvenience. Corinne Schiavenato, a 55-year-old self-employed worker, voiced her frustration: “I’ve been waiting since 6:00 AM to get to Goussainville. I tried taking a replacement bus, but it’s impossible. Too many people, and they’re packed! I have a client who has been waiting since 7:00 AM.”
Despite the chaos, some passengers viewed the situation with irony. “I just returned from Lorient, where they discover unexploded shells all the time,” remarked Chloe Ternand, referring to the western French town known for its wartime history.
Train Services Resume After Bomb Disposal
Following successful defusal operations, France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that train services would resume gradually from 1700 GMT. While Eurostar canceled all services for the rest of the day, the company assured travelers that additional departures would be scheduled on Saturday to accommodate stranded passengers.
By Friday evening, normal operations had largely resumed, bringing relief to commuters and tourists alike. However, the disruption served as a stark reminder of Europe’s war-torn past, as remnants of WWII continue to surface in unexpected places
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Massive WWII Bomb Discovery Disrupts Paris Train Network