Train services to and from Paris’ Gare du Nord came to an abrupt halt on Friday after workers uncovered an unexploded World War II bomb on the tracks near the Saint-Denis suburb. The discovery was made overnight during routine maintenance, prompting immediate action from authorities.
SNCF, France’s national railway operator, confirmed that the bomb was found “in the middle of the tracks,” leading to a complete suspension of traffic to the country’s busiest train station. The terminal, which serves high-speed, local, and Eurostar trains, typically sees around 700,000 commuters daily.
Paris police swiftly launched efforts to neutralize the device, ensuring public safety before allowing services to resume. The unexpected find serves as a stark reminder of the lingering remnants of past conflicts, even in one of Europe’s most modern transit hubs.