A venomous snake caused a major disruption to Japan’s bullet train service, suspending trains for several hours due to an obstruction on the power line. As Japan experiences its busiest holiday season, wildlife-related incidents are becoming increasingly common.
A recent incident of a snake wrapping itself around a power line has caused significant disruptions to Japan’s bullet train service. The Tokyo-Osaka line, one of the busiest in the country, was suspended for several hours due to the obstruction.
Japan is currently experiencing its busiest holiday season, known as Golden Week, which attracts millions of visitors and creates significant pressure on public services. Unfortunately, this has also led to an increase in wildlife-related incidents affecting train services. This latest incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and preparedness from authorities and passengers alike.
The snake entanglement occurred between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, causing a power outage that suspended trains running between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya in one direction, as well as those traveling to Tokyo. Passengers were forced to wait for extended periods at the affected station while staff worked to restore power.
Passengers expressed frustration with the disruptions caused by the snake. While some had experienced delays before, this was the first time they had been suspended due to a power outage. One frequent traveler noted that he uses the train several times a month but had never encountered such an issue before.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In April 2024, a similar problem arose when a snake was found on a train between Nagoya and Tokyo, causing a 17-minute delay while authorities removed it from the vehicle.
The recent disruption to Japan’s bullet train service highlights the importance of being prepared for unexpected events. With Golden Week in full swing, authorities must ensure that public services are resilient enough to handle the increased demands on their systems.
