Nine travel hidden under Eurostar

LONDON, England -- Nine illegal immigrants were found hidden underneath a Eurostar train shortly after it arrived in London's Waterloo Station from Paris.

British Transport Police said the men and women were discovered after passengers on board the high-speed train reported hearing frantic banging noises.

The stowaways have been handed over to immigration officials after being examined by a doctor.

The Eurostar train had spent the night in Paris before leaving for London late Friday morning.

It arrived at Waterloo shortly before 2 p.m. (0200 GMT) and was due to leave again for Brussels, Belgium, around 30 minutes later.

Chief Inspector Ray Ratty, of British Transport Police, said in a statement: "Shortly before departure persons were discovered underneath the train following reports of loud banging from members of the public.

"Police attended and the persons were removed following a thorough search of the train."

The Eurostar travels at speeds of up to 186 m.p.h. during its three-hour journey between Paris and London.

Eurostar spokeswoman Daniella Fraser said: "This is something we haven't had before, someone actually hiding beneath one of our trains.

"We don't know exactly how they managed it, but they obviously weren't just hanging on to the outside. It isn't feasible, they wouldn't have survived.

"We are liaising with British Transport Police and trying to piece together exactly what happened."

Eurostar spokesman Roger Harrison said it was possible the immigrants had wedged themselves into hatches on the underside of the train.

"There are hatches for servicing and to hold equipment, much like you have on the fuselage of an aeroplane. That is a possibility.

"Clearly, how they got on is what we are currently investigating. If there is a loophole, then we will block it."

The depot where the train rested overnight in Paris was secure and kept under guard around the clock.

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British Transport Police
UK Home Office
Eurostar

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