Train services in and around Amsterdam were slowly returning to normal on Monday morning following an evening and early morning of cancellations and disruption.

Rail operator ProRail said it had rerouted some of its technical procedures via Utrecht, allowing services to the capital and Schiphol airport to resume.

However, the main IT problem in Amsterdam has still not been solved. “It is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” a spokesman told broadcaster NOS.

IT problems at operator ProRail led to major disruption on Sunday evening and some people had to overnight at stations or other locations because they could not reach their destinations.

Photos on social media showed passengers with foil sheets that had been handed out by the rail operator. Others spoke of their disbelief that no bus services were being provided as an alternative.

An NS spokesman said the huge number of passengers affected by the evening breakdown made it impossible to use buses instead.

Services around Utrecht had also been affected on Sunday evening but the problems there have been solved. However, around 100 people were put up overnight in the Jaarbeurs exhibition centre because they had been stranded.

The fall-out had a major impact on fans who had been to the Harry Styles concert in the Johan Cruijff Arena and a second concert in the AFAS Live. In total, 55,000 concertgoers were in the area.

The Ziggo Dome was set up as emergency accommodation for those who could not get home using alternative means. Social media was also full of concertgoers offering others spare places in their cars.