Train services at Paris’ Gare du Nord station were brought to a standstill on Friday after a World War II bomb was discovered on the tracks, officials confirmed.
The unexploded device was found overnight during routine maintenance work in the Saint-Denis suburb, just outside France’s busiest rail terminal. The national railway company, SNCF, stated that the bomb was located “in the middle of the tracks.”
Authorities swiftly shut down all traffic to and from Gare du Nord, including Eurostar, high-speed, and local train services, as Paris police worked to neutralize the device. The RER B suburban train service, which also passes through the area, confirmed the bomb’s origins in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
Gare du Nord is a critical transport hub, handling an estimated 700,000 passengers daily, according to SNCF. The temporary closure caused significant disruptions, impacting thousands of commuters and international travelers. Officials have yet to confirm when services will resume fully.
The discovery highlights the lingering remnants of World War II, with unexploded ordnance occasionally unearthed across France during construction or maintenance work. Security teams continue to assess and safely remove the device to ensure the station’s safe reopening.
Travelers have been advised to check for updates before heading to the station, as authorities work to resolve the situation swiftly.
