Nine people have been discovered hidden underneath a Eurostar train from Paris.
British Transport Police found the group stowed away after the high-speed train pulled into London's Waterloo International station.
The men and women were examined by a doctor before being handed over to immigration officials for questioning.
Chief Inspector Ray Ratty, of British Transport Police, said passengers on board the train raised the alarm when they heard frantic banging noises.
He said: "Police were called to the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo following the discovery of persons hidden underneath the train. A total of nine people, male and female adults, were removed from under the train and handed to immigration."
Mr Ratty added: "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.
Eurostar spokesman Mr 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."
PA