TOKYO - Japan's high-speed Shinkansen network continues to face service suspensions due to overhead line troubles, with restoration efforts aimed at resuming services by the first train Wednesday morning.
According to JR East, at around 10 AM on Tuesday morning, a power outage occurred between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Oyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, and between Ueno and Kumagaya stations on the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines.
As a result, 283 Shinkansen trains in Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku regions were suspended, affecting more than 120,000 people.
The outage caused a Shinkansen to stop between Ueno and Omiya stations, approximately two kilometers from Omiya Station. Passengers were quickly evacuated from the train onto the tracks below the elevated line.
The interior of the halted Shinkansen bore a dramatic scene – spider-web cracked windows. One passenger, who was traveling from Kanazawa to Tokyo, couldn't believe how suddenly the train stopped: "It was so quick, it took me by surprise."
A passenger who disembarked described the experience: "The train halted suddenly just before 10 AM, followed by a power outage announcement. The carriage became hot."
JR East has not confirmed a timeline for full restoration but is working towards resuming operations with the first train tomorrow.
As repair work continued throughout the afternoon, two male workers, who were engaged in restoration work near the halted Shinkansen train, were electrocuted and subsequently hospitalized.
A loud explosion and smoke were observed near the site where the Shinkansen was stopped. A man in his fifties sustained serious injuries, while another in his forties suffered minor injuries.
Both individuals were transported to a hospital in Saitama City, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Source: ANN
