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Join today<\/a><\/p>\n \n Already a member? Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n Trains have been cancelled and drivers have refused to board after bedbugs were spotted on carriages across south east England, it has been reported. <\/p>\n Southeastern trains operating from the affected West Marina train depot near Hastings in East Sussex were taken out of service as a result of the bedbugs,<\/a> according to The Telegraph. <\/a><\/p>\n Sightings of the insects have also been reported on Southeastern\u2019s <\/a>High Speed 1 line services \u2013 raising concerns the issue has spread. <\/p>\n One train \u2013 apparently dubbed the \u201cBedbug Express\u201d by insiders \u2013 still operated on Tuesday, making several journeys between London and Kent but with two carriages locked and out of use after a driver spotted insects at one end. <\/p>\n On Friday, at least three services were cancelled, with more cancelled since the first sighting reported on 22 September, The Telegraph said. <\/p>\n Drivers have reportedly found bedbugs in their cabs and crawling on their bags. According to an incident log viewed by the publication, one driver refused to drive the train unless they were \u201cprovided with a white full-body protection suit… in case any bugs<\/a> transfer to themself\u201d [sic].<\/p>\n However, protective gear was unavailable, leading to two trains being cancelled including one that had been blocked in by the bedbug train. <\/p>\n Internal messages also accuse bosses of failing to take the matter seriously. <\/p>\n Southeastern maintenance staff tried to take the train out of service but service controllers had not been advised of the problem, according to internal logs, which led to it still operating through Tuesday. <\/p>\n Pest control were seen at the depot and an operator would only say that they had a regular contract with Southeastern for the service. <\/p>\n A Southeastern spokesperson told The Telegraph that four trains had been reported as having bedbugs on them, of which two were confirmed then cleaned before being returned to service.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a great relationship with our drivers, who have helped hugely in cooperating with us over these isolated incidents,\u201d said Oly Turner, the train company\u2019s head of drivers. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen we receive reports such as these, we check trains thoroughly before they are put back into service when given the all clear. Cases have been contained to the drivers cabs in only two of our trains and no bed bugs have been identified in areas for passengers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe continually carry out robust cleaning across our trains and stations, ensuring our customers and employees can travel safely and with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n The Independent has contacted Southeastern for comment. <\/p>\n Bedbugs are capable of of squeezing into narrow gaps in furniture and are also good at hiding in clothing, linen and mattresses. They can be difficult to spot directly but their presence is betrayed by small, dark excrement stains.<\/p>\n
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A Southeastern High Speed train leaves Ashford station in Kent (PA)<\/p>\n![\"Bedbugs](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/FxeZbQ3_b_cYko9LZviRyGtYw2XQMxQBlF_ILU3shIMJ2NlCycvP9w9geV4Q7v23P_Omd2DqpBU5g4ssIZ69KoiwXfm3_ahllecJ.jpeg\")
Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)<\/p>\n![\"Southeastern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/14de33bcd97ea1d389e50555aeb391fdY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzUyNTExMjc3-2.23305914.jpg\")
Southeastern trains are back to normal according to a spokesperson (Gareth Fuller\/PA) (PA Archive)<\/p>\n