2 000 Rail Passengers Trapped Overnight in Channel Tunnel

Passengers were trapped overnight in the Channel Tunnel, as four Eurostar trains broke down as a result of freezing weather. Photo by Eurostar

More than 2 000 people spent Friday night trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to cold weather.

It is thought the trains failed as they left the cold air in northern France and entered the warmer tunnel.

Two of the trains have been pushed out of the tunnel, while passengers on the other two have been evacuated, the BBC reported.

More snow and freezing temperatures are expected for south-east and eastern England.

Heavy snowfall caused travel chaos, forced schools to close and cut off power supplies in parts of the UK on Friday.

Eurostar services have been cancelled until noon Saturday, but passengers are being advised not to travel unless their journey is essential.