Snake Wrapped Around Power Pole Halts Japan's Busiest High-Speed Rail Line
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World
May 1, 2025 12:35
tokyo - A one-meter-long snake wrapped around a power pole caused a major disruption on Japan's busiest high-speed rail route between Tokyo and Osaka.
Snake Halts Japan's Busiest High-Speed Rail Line
In an unusual incident, a one-meter-long snake coiled around a power pole between Maibaru and Gifu-Hashima stations disrupted the high-speed rail service between Tokyo and Osaka, Japan's busiest route. The snake caused a short circuit, leading to train service suspension for hours.
Snake Removal and Service Resumption
After a two-hour delay, the snake was removed, restoring the power supply and allowing trains to resume normal operations. Passengers, including Satoshi Tagawa, expressed their surprise at the rare incident on Japan's typically punctual high-speed trains.
High-Speed Rail Precision and Passenger Volume
Known for their precision, Japan's high-speed trains usually have minimal delays. However, recent disruptions, like the snake incident, have tested passengers' patience, with Kazutoshi Tachi voicing frustration over the delay. The line serves over 370 trains and 430,000 passengers daily, traveling at speeds of 300 km/h.