Passengers Trapped on Train for Four Hours Amid Heatwave
Hundreds of train passengers traveling from Paris to Nice were left waiting on the side of the tracks for four hours, with no air conditioning available inside the carriages. The journey began at 2:10 pm, but the train was forced to stop in the middle of the French countryside, just north of Lyon, in Civrieux-D’Azergues.
After being stuck in the stifling carriages for around two hours, passengers exited them, seeking refuge in the shade near the tracks. This situation was caused by an issue with the power supply, although it is still unclear whether this was linked to the ongoing heatwave in France.
Staff from the French railway operator SNCF permitted passengers to get off the train as outside temperatures reached more than 30°C. Police and train staff tried to reassure passengers once they had exited the train.
One passenger told France TV: ‘Even just getting off the train and being outside is better. Because inside was unbearable.’ Others noted that it was especially tough for vulnerable passengers, such as the elderly and children.
Another female passenger explained: ‘There was a woman with a baby covered in sweat.’ Reports indicate the passengers were stuck for four hours before rescue teams arrived to assist.
Le20h-France Télévisions shared the video from France TV on X, with users taking to the comments section to share their frustration at the impact of the heatwave on travel in France. One wrote: ‘The French downgrade is going to end up in the history books… how is it that in a country like France, the train isn’t air-conditioned in 2026?’ Another added: ‘Again and again!!!!! This is unacceptable….It’s always the same problems with SNCF!’ A third chimed in: ‘This country is becoming a disgrace, and especially its public transportation. We’re constantly facing increasingly major breakdowns while the price keeps rising! With transportation that’s getting dirtier and dirtier!’
Impact of the Heatwave on Transportation
Transport in France has been widely affected as a result of the heatwave. Weather agency Meteo-France said that France recorded the highest temperatures for a May day ever. Temperatures reached as high as 37°C in some parts of the country.
Climatologist Christophe Cassou told Le Monde: ‘This is an unprecedented event with a one in 1,000 chance of happening at this time of year.’
And with a rise in the number of Brits travelling to France by rail, many could be affected by the ongoing impact of the heatwave. More than 12 million journeys take place between London and Paris on the Eurostar each year, and with rising fears surrounding the jet fuel crisis, this summer could reach even higher tourist levels than usual.
Increased Travel and Booking Trends
Amid the recent news around fuel shortages, digital ticket booking platform TrainPal revealed a sharp increase in UK travellers purchasing Eurostar tickets and train tickets across Europe. TrainPal’s commercial director of Europe, Alvaro Ungurean, said they have seen a 98 per cent increase in UK residents booking train tickets in France year on year since last April, and a 25 per cent rise in the sales of Eurostar tickets.
The Daily Mail has contacted SNCF for comment.
