Snake Halts Japan’s Bullet Train Service, Causing Delays

A snake disrupted Japan’s high-speed Tokaido Shinkansen line, cutting power to overhead wires and halting train service for over 90 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka on Wednesday evening. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The incident occurred when the animal made contact with the electrified wires near Nagoya, triggering an emergency stop. JR Central immediately dispatched engineers to assess the system and restore safety conditions.

Snake Causes Unusual Power Outage on Shinkansen Line

Traffic toward Tokyo from Shin-Osaka and trains heading to Osaka were both suspended during the outage. Commuters were left stranded as the evening rush was brought to a standstill.

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Technicians resolved the issue in roughly 90 minutes, and full service resumed shortly after. While no injuries occurred, the disruption impacted thousands of travelers during peak hours.

Large crowds gathered at Nagoya Station, queuing at ticket counters and seeking answers from station staff. Many expressed disbelief that a snake could paralyze such a vital transit line.

“I use the Shinkansen frequently, but I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Satoshi Tagawa, a 46-year-old passenger delayed on his way to Tokyo.

Passengers Express Frustration After Snake Disruption

Another traveler, 26-year-old Kazutoshi Tachi, said he felt relieved once service resumed. However, he added that continued technical issues were eroding passenger trust.

“I was glad when operations restarted,” Tachi said. “But I’m tired of these problems. I expect the trains to run on time.”

While rare, animal-related disruptions occasionally occur on Japan’s otherwise precise railways. This case highlights the unexpected vulnerabilities even advanced infrastructure can face.

JR Central plans to review safety protocols and explore preventive solutions to reduce the risk of future disruptions. Despite the temporary inconvenience, the rapid response restored service efficiently and ensured passenger safety.

Japan’s bullet train network remains one of the most reliable in the world, but even a snake can cause a surprising ripple effect across the nation’s busiest routes.

Source: unn.ua

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