Hundreds of train passengers heading from Paris to Nice were forced to wait on the side of the tracks for four hours – with no air conditioning available inside the carriages.

The train left Paris at 2.10pm but was forced to stop in the middle of the French countryside, just north of Lyon, in Civrieux-D’Azergues. 

After being stuck in the stifling carriages for around two hours, passengers exited them, seeking refuge in the shade near the tracks.

This was caused by an issue with the power supply – although it is still unclear whether this was linked with an ongoing heatwave in France.

Staff from the French railway operator SNCF permitted passengers to get off – as outside temperatures reached more than 30C.

Police and train staff tried to reassure passengers once they had exited the train.

One passenger told France TV: ‘Even just getting off the train and being outside is better. Because inside was unbearable.’

Others noted that it was especially tough for vulnerable passengers, such as the elderly and children.

The train from Paris to Nice was forced to stop due to a power supply issue

Another female passenger explained: ‘There was a woman with a baby covered in sweat.’ 

Reports indicate the passengers were stuck for four hours before rescue teams arrived to assist.

Le20h-France Télévisions shared the video from France TV on X, with users taking to the comments section to share their frustration at the impact of the heatwave on travel in France.

One wrote: ‘The French downgrade is going to end up in the history books… how is it that in a country like France, the train isn’t air-conditioned in 2026?’

Another added: ‘Again and again!!!!! This is unacceptable….It’s always the same problems with SNCF!’

A third chimed in: ‘This country is becoming a disgrace, and especially its public transportation. We’re constantly facing increasingly major breakdowns while the price keeps rising! With transportation that’s getting dirtier and dirtier!’

Transport in France has been widely affected as a result of the heatwave.

Weather agency Meteo-France said that France recorded the highest temperatures for a May day ever.

Passengers were left stranded and hot – for a reported four-hour period

Temperatures reached as high as 37C in some parts of the country.

Climatologist Christophe Cassou told Le Monde: ‘This is an unprecedented event with a one in 1,000 chance of happening at this time of year.’ 

And with a rise in the number of Brits travelling to France by rail, many could be affected by the ongoing impact of the heatwave.

More than 12 million journeys take place between London and Paris on the Eurostar each year, and with rising fears surrounding the jet fuel crisis, this summer could reach even higher tourist levels than usual.

Amid the recent news around fuel shortages, digital ticket booking platform TrainPal revealed a sharp increase in UK travellers purchasing Eurostar tickets and train tickets across Europe. 

TrainPal’s commercial director of Europe, Alvaro Ungurean, said they have seen a 98 per cent increase in UK residents booking train tickets in France year on year since last April, and a 25 per cent rise in the sales of Eurostar tickets.

The Daily Mail has contacted SNCF for comment.