Unexploded WWII Bomb Discovered Near Paris' Gare du Nord Station Disrupts Eurostar Services and Triggers Mass Evacuation

The unexploded device, weighing 500kg and containing 200kg of explosives, was discovered during maintenance work on the rail tracks near the Gare du Nord station, France's busiest train terminal. The bomb was found 2.5km outside of Paris, in the town of Saint Denis, and was described by a spokesperson for France's national rail company SNCF as "really huge." The discovery led to a severe disruption of both domestic and international travel, with almost 500 trains canceled and around 600,000 people affected.

The finding triggered a large-scale evacuation of the area, with dozens of residents evacuated from buildings whose windows faced the site where the bomb was being deactivated. Six schools and a care home in the area were also locked down for an hour, although local authorities said there was "no risk" to them. Part of the Paris ring road and the A1 motorway was closed to traffic due to the disposal operations, causing significant travel disruptions. Eurostar services to and from London were halted, and passengers were advised to change their tickets to travel another day.

The bomb was successfully defused on Friday evening, after a day of police bomb disposal work and careful planning. French transport minister Philippe Tabarot said that train services would gradually resume and roads would reopen later that evening. The incident highlights the ongoing legacy of World War II and the importance of vigilance in detecting and disposing of unexploded devices. As one passenger noted, "We were supposed to leave for a weekend in London this morning. The worry is that we will lose €800 worth of hotel rooms if we don't make the reservation, so that's a bit of a problem." The successful defusal of the bomb has brought relief to the affected communities, but the incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks and disruptions that can occur when unexploded devices are discovered in populated areas.