All trains between Brussels and France (Thalys, TGV and Eurostar) have been suspended as ice on the lines that run above the tracks has brought two trains to a stand-still, Infrabel told Belga News Agency.
At 08:30 on Saturday morning, two trains – a Thalys and one TGV – were blocked at Ruisbroek (just south of Brussels) for several hours, leaving passengers stranded before being evacuated, local media reports. Engineers from Infrabel, which manages rail infrastructure in Belgium, tried to restore power to the lines.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that all international trains towards France are currently affected. They added that the trains remained heated whilst passengers waited to be evacuated as temperatures outside were around -7°C.
Online, passengers shared their frustrations as some missed their connecting journeys and others were unable to board at all.
…La réalité: Bloqués au milieu de nulle part avec +2h de retard sur le retour, correspondance avec notre Thalys ratée 🤣
On se croirait presque à la maison avec @SNCB 😁 pic.twitter.com/coiGgqOtZv — Thomas Hermine (@thomashermine) December 17, 2022
