Introduction

In a dramatic turn of events, a 500-kilogram unexploded World War II bomb was discovered near the Gare du Nord train station in Paris, causing widespread disruptions to rail services and road traffic. The bomb, found approximately 2.5 kilometers north of the station in the suburb of Saint-Denis, led to the cancellation of nearly 500 trains and affected over 600,000 travelers.

Discovery and Response

The bomb was unearthed by workers conducting earth-moving operations near the train tracks early on Friday, March 7, 2025. Upon discovery, bomb disposal experts were immediately summoned to the site. The operation to defuse the bomb required a large security perimeter, with local residents and travelers evacuated to ensure safety.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that the defusing operations were successful and that rail services gradually resumed from 6 pm local time. The bomb, identified as a 500-kilogram English bomb, contained about 200 kilograms of explosives, posing a significant risk if it had detonated.

Impact on Travel

The discovery of the bomb resulted in significant travel disruptions:

• Eurostar Services: All Eurostar trains to and from Paris were canceled, affecting routes to London and Brussels. However, services from London to Brussels and Amsterdam continued uninterrupted.
• Domestic and International Trains: Both domestic and international trains were suspended, impacting travelers from the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium.
• Road Traffic: A portion of the A1 highway, a major artery into northern Paris, was closed during the operation but reopened once the bomb was defused.

Safety Measures and Expertise

The operation highlighted the expertise and caution required in handling unexploded ordnance. Christophe Pezron, head of the Paris Police Laboratory, emphasized the danger posed by such devices, noting that they can cause extensive damage if not handled properly.

Historical Context

France has a history of discovering unexploded bombs from World War I and II, but finding them in densely populated areas like near Gare du Nord is rare. The French Interior Ministry has reported that since the end of World War II, disposal teams have defused over 700,000 air-dropped bombs and nearly 50 million mines, shells, and other explosive devices.

Conclusion

The successful defusal of the WWII bomb near Gare du Nord underscores the ongoing challenges of dealing with unexploded ordnance in urban areas. While disruptions were significant, the expertise of bomb disposal teams ensured that a major tragedy was averted.