Travelers planning to use TGV services to or from Paris on Sunday faced considerable delays and cancellations due to a large vegetation fire in Seine-et-Marne. The blaze, which erupted near the high-speed rail line, caused significant disruption to traffic between Paris and Lyon, with SNCF announcing delays of up to six hours.
Extensive Delays and Cancellations Affecting TGV Services
According to TrainTracker24, by 9 PM, five TGV trains had accumulated delays exceeding five hours, with the average delay on the affected line hovering around three hours. This widespread disruption highlights the severity of the incident and its impact on a critical rail artery.
Over 300 Hectares Burned in Seine-et-Marne
The root cause of these travel woes is a spectacular fire that ignited in Seine-et-Marne, near the A5 motorway, specifically in the vicinity of Le Châtelet-en-Brie. Initial reports indicate that more than 300 hectares of vegetation have been consumed by the flames, necessitating a substantial deployment of emergency resources. The fire’s proximity to the railway infrastructure forced authorities to halt traffic on the LGV Sud-Est as a safety precaution.
SNCF Reroutes Trains and Anticipates Further Disruptions
SNCF clarified that while the fire originated outside the railway’s immediate vicinity, its proximity was sufficient to prevent normal train operations. Firefighters and railway network management teams remained actively engaged at the scene. To circumvent the affected area, TGV trains were being rerouted onto the classic rail line where feasible. While this measure allowed for some services to continue, it significantly extended journey times. TGV INOUI, OUIGO, and LYRIA services were primarily affected by these changes.
Further Train Cancellations Expected
In addition to the extensive delays, SNCF also warned of potential train cancellations throughout the day. Passengers were strongly advised to regularly check real-time traffic information before heading to the station, as schedules were subject to change based on the progress of emergency operations.
Gradual Return to Normal Expected by Late Evening
As of now, SNCF anticipates a gradual return to normal traffic conditions by late evening, contingent on the evolution of the fire and the complete securing of the railway installations. The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to environmental events and the cascading effects they can have on public services.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/paris_75056/jusqu-a-6-heures-de-retard-un-impressionnant-incendie-en-seine-et-marne-paralyse-les-tgv-entre-paris-et-lyon_64531778.html
