TGV Paris and South-East traffic interrupted after the “passage of a mini tornado”, 80,000 passengers affected

The SNCF announced late Wednesday morning that a total of 80,000 passengers were affected by the interruption of the South-East high-speed line, due to a power supply failure in Yonne linked to storms and “the passage of a sudden mini tornado”, in a press release.

The SNCF announced late Wednesday morning that a total of 80,000 passengers were affected by the interruption of the South-East high-speed line, due to a power failure in the Yonne linked to storms and “the passage of a sudden mini tornado”, in a press release.

Traffic has been interrupted since 7:40 a.m. on this line which connects Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier.

80,000 passengers contacted

"After the passage of a sudden mini tornado, which caused damage to the rail, road and electricity networks, SNCF Réseau teams managed to reach the site despite the difficulties of access", indicates in a press release the SNCF.

"Following their initial findings, the agents estimated that they would not be able to quickly recover the tracks of the LGV and the classic line. Our priority is now to support customers. All online trains are therefore being brought back to the station", it is specified.

"We estimate that 80,000 passengers will be impacted today. We invite passengers not to go to the station. All tickets issued today will be exchangeable and refundable. SNCF Réseau teams are of course mobilized to repair as quickly as possible“, summarizes the SNCF.

Earlier in the morning, a previous press release indicated that “several trees fell on the South East high-speed line at the St Florentin junction in Yonne”, the SNCF indicating that a TGV had “hit one of the trees” but that there were “no injuries on board”.

She specified that the operations were “made very difficult due to the complicated access conditions due to the presence of trees and tree branches on the roads”.