Border workers thought they would get a break after two months of summer work, but the bad luck continues. On 17 September, a freight train that broke down between Hettange-Grande and Bettembourg caused a total halt to traffic.

At 6:20am, the @TERNancy-Metz-Lux account posted on X: “Traffic is currently disrupted in the Metz to Luxembourg direction. Some cancellations are to be expected.” The CFL quickly confirmed delays and cancellations in both directions. A gradual resumption of traffic was expected by 8:30am.

This breakdown marks the third consecutive incident on the line most frequented by French border commuters.

—On Monday, the long-awaited reopening between Bettembourg and Luxembourg turned into a headache.

—On Tuesday, it was a train breakdown between Berchem and Howald that had paralysed the network.

—And on Wednesday, it was a freight convoy that brought traffic to a standstill.

And the streak may not be over: on 18 September, a national industrial action in France will once again disrupt train traffic.

This article was originally published in French.