UK rail travel returns to normal after problems with a radio system disrupted the morning commute

LONDON (AP) — British rail travel was returning to normal Friday afternoon after problems with a radio system used by drivers and signalers nationwide caused widespread disruption during the morning commute.

The fault led to “short-notice” delays and cancellations throughout the U.K., according to National Rail, which represents train operating companies. Lines affected included the Elizabeth Line serving London’s Heathrow Airport and the Gatwick Express to the capital’s second-biggest airport.

The issue mainly affected trains preparing to leave the depot at the start of their journeys, with services operating normally once they were underway, National Rail said. The problem was reported just before 6:30 a.m. local time and wasn’t resolved until 1:39 p.m.

“The fault meant that train drivers were having to manually log into the national radio network rather than it happening automatically,″ National Rail said. “The system is now working normally. We’re sorry if your journey has been affected today as a result of this issue.”

Travellers look at the information board at Victoria Station in London, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 as rail travellers across Britain are facing disruption after a fault in a radio system used by drivers and signalers nationwide prompted cancellations across the network.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Travellers look at the information board at Victoria Station in London, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 as rail travellers across Britain are facing disruption after a fault in a radio system used by drivers and signalers nationwide prompted cancellations across the network.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Travellers look at the information board at Victoria Station in London, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 as rail travellers across Britain are facing disruption after a fault in a radio system used by drivers and signalers nationwide prompted cancellations across the network.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Travellers look at the information board at Victoria Station in London, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 as rail travellers across Britain are facing disruption after a fault in a radio system used by drivers and signalers nationwide prompted cancellations across the network.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

KOLKATA, India (AP) — Lionel Messi’s much-hyped tour of India got off to a rocky start Saturday with angry fans throwing bottles and attempting to vandalize a stadium after many of them failed to get more than just a glimpse of their hero.

The Times of India reported that many ticket-holders said that they failed to see Messi at all — either in person or on the stadium’s big screens — despite waiting for hours.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee apologized to the Argentine soccer star for the “mismanagement” of the event.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” Banerjee wrote on social media, where she also apologized to fans who had expected more after paying for tickets.

Banerjee said a committee would be constituted to “conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

Irate fans – many of whom wore Messi Argentina shirts – threw seats from the stands, then forced their way past security fences onto the field and attempted to cause more damage before overwhelmed security personnel chased them away. Messi had already left.

Messi’s three-day “GOAT India Tour” was to bring the World Cup winner from Kolkata to Hyderabad and then Mumbai before concluding in New Delhi on Monday. He was joined by longtime teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.

Earlier Saturday, Messi remotely “unveiled” a 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Indian fans gesture in protest after failing to get a glimpse of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

A fan rides a goal post as he protests with others after failing to get a glimpse of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Indian fans vandalize stadium chairs as they run on to the field after failing to get a glimpse of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, center, arrives at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Indian fans vandalize stadium chairs as they run on to the field after failing to get a glimpse of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)