European rail services suspended following Belgian crash

(AFP/DIRK WAEM)

High speed rail services in Europe have been suspended following a head-on collision outside of Brussels, Belgium on February 20.

High speed rail services in Europe have been suspended following a head-on collision outside of Brussels, Belgium on February 20.

All Thalys trains, which run between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne, have been suspended in both directions. The company advises all passengers travelling this week to check its website at www.thalys.com before departing and to delay journeys if possible.

Eurostar services linking London and Brussels have also been suspended until further notice. The company advises Brussels travellers on affected services to exchange tickets or have them refunded. Eurostar services between London and Paris are unaffected.

Domestic services in Belgium have also been affected.

According to reports from Belgium, two rush-hour passenger trains collided head on near Halle, 15km south west of Brussels at around 7.30 GMT this morning. Officials believe that 20 people were killed in the crash - the number of injuries is unknown.

Thalys

France: 08 92 35 35 36 (0,34 €/Min)
Belgium: +32 (0)70 79 79 79 (between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. at weekends and on public holidays)
Netherlands: 0900 92 96 (0.35 €/Min)
Germany: 08000 996633(free)

http://www.thalys.com

Eurostar

http://www.eurostar.com

Belgian Domestic Rail

http://www.b-rail.be/