‘People are fainting’: Eurostar passengers forced to evacuate in scorching heat

Temperatures in Brussels hit 38C today

Passengers were evacuated from a hot train in Belgium following a power failure (Simon Calder)

Hundreds of passengers were forced to leave a Eurostar train in scorching heat when the train lost power.

According to the train company, there was a problem with the overhead power supply.

It caused the air conditioning to stop functioning onboard the morning train from London to Brussels.

According to several Twitter users, passengers were then evacuated to the side of the track to wait for a replacement train.

Comedian Katy Brand was onboard, and tweeted that passengers had been waiting for two hours for another train.

Fellow passenger Paul De Grauwe said the train stopped somewhere near Tubize just outside Brussels.

A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “One of our trains has been held due to an issue with the power supply.

“We are working to resolve this as soon as possible, and another train has been sent from Brussels to collect travellers on board.

“Customers with bookings this afternoon should check our website for any cancellations caused as a knock-on effect and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Eurostar is advising passengers not to travel on the Belgian line today due to knock-on delays. It has also cancelled two services between London and Brussels.

Passengers with Belgium bookings today can change their trip or get a refund for free.