Chaos on the Eurostar as travellers stranded for hours after UK Border Force e-gate IT failure at Paris causes major delays with two trains cancelled

Hundreds of Eurostar travellers were left stranded for hours and facing major delays and cancellations after UK Border Force e-gates in Paris were hit by technical problems.

MailOnline understands there has been 'total chaos' for people trying to travel between London and Paris after the IT failure, with Eurostar cancelling the last two trains of the day.

Photographs taken at Gare du Nord show hundreds of people queuing, many of them families looking to return home after half-term week. 

The train operator said it will provide hotel accommodation and taxis for anyone who requires it, The Independent reports.

Eurostar also said affected passengers would be offered alternative travel or refunds. 

On its website, Eurostar said: 'Due to an IT problem with UK Border Forces in Paris Gare du Nord today, our trains are likely to be subject to severe delays or last minute cancellations. 

'We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.'

An earlier statement from Eurostar said: 'We are awaiting the intervention of a technician to resolve this problem as quickly as possible and reduce the impact on our passengers but unfortunately, we had to cancel the two last trains of the day. 

'Eurostar teams are taking all measures to make sure that those who need to travel will be able to arrive in London. 

'We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience caused.' 

The Home Office said the issue has now been resolved, but passengers were still being warned of delays while staff 'fully restore services' according to a statement provided to MailOnline.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This issue has now been resolved and we are working with European ports and carriers to fully restore services.

'We apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused.'

On social media, travellers have expressed their disappointment over the situation.  

One lamented: 'Such a shame. It [Eurostar]was the high water mark for European travel.'

Another wrote: 'Shambolic UK Border Force in Paris today, UK E-Gates down with at least 2 hour delays to all departures to UK. No information provided to thousands waiting.'

Shortly after the issue first emerged, one traveller posted a photo of the waiting crowds and wrote:  'Really bad delays travelling from Paris to London. Have been queuing for two hours and this is the view from where I stand. 

'Does nobody care about small children and the elderly?'

One particularly enraged traveller wrote: 'This is what #controllingourborders looks like. A complete f***ing s***show at Gare du Nord because the UK border system has crashed. 

'If you want to create stupid barriers at least invest in tech that works.'

MailOnline has contacted Eurostar for comment.