The Channel Tunnel linking the United Kingdom with continental Europe has been closed since Thursday due to a fire aboard a freight train heading for France.
Eurotunnel, which operates the tunnel system and freight services, said the fire broke out about 3 p.m. (BST) on a Shuttle carrying trucks in the North Running Tunnel about seven miles from the French exit. Early reports suggest the fire was caused by an overturned truck carrying chemicals.
Thirty-two people who were onboard the shuttle were evacuated into Eurotunnel’s service tunnel, with only minor injuries reported. Three other trains using the tunnel at the time were immediately redirected back to England.
The 16-hour blaze has been extinguished. But Eurotunnel said there would be no freight or passenger travel today.
The interior minister added that the blaze reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius and it might take several weeks to make the necessary repairs to the tunnel normally dedicated to freight transport.
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