Smoke alert closes Channel Tunnel
Smoke was seen coming from a Eurotunnel freight service
Thirty-four people were involved in an evacuation from a freight shuttle in the Channel Tunnel when smoke was seen coming from the train.
The operator Eurotunnel said it suspended rail services from Monday lunchtime after a fire alarm went off.
Lorry drivers were taken off the train in the north-running tunnel. There were no flames and no-one was hurt.
Eurostar said its passenger services from London to Paris and Brussels had also been suspended.
The incident happened at about 1230 BST in the tunnel between Folkestone and Calais.
'Clear backlog'
Eurotunnel spokesman John Keefe said: "It was a freight shuttle going through with about 34 people on board, who have all been evacuated safely.
"At the moment we're just looking for the causes of the smoke so that we can understand that before we get the service up and running again."
Eurotunnel said it was hoped train services through the Channel Tunnel could be resumed later on Monday.
"Unfortunately with this being a very busy time of year, it's going to take a few hours to clear the backlog once we've got started again," said Mr Keefe.
A spokesman from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Folkestone, Deal and Ashford were sent to the scene, along with firefighters based at the tunnel, to help with efforts to reach the freight shuttle.
"Although smoke has been seen there has apparently been no flames and there have been no casualties," he said.
