March 6, Thursday, Japan: A significant incident disrupted bullet train services in eastern Japan when two cars of a Tohoku Shinkansen train uncoupled near Tokyo. The Hayabusa-Komachi train service, comprising linked trains, was found decoupled between Ueno and Omiya stations around 11:30 a.m. The train came to a halt near Nishinippori Station on a local commuter line for examination.
Approximately 650 passengers were aboard at the time, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Hayabusa train was destined for Shin-Aomori Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, while the Komachi train was en route to Akita on the Akita Shinkansen Line.
The incident led to the suspension of services on several Shinkansen lines, including Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokuriku, and Joetsu, affecting sections such as Tokyo-Shin-Aomori, Tokyo-Niigata, and Tokyo-Nagano. After a thorough inspection and necessary checks, services gradually resumed around 2:35 p.m.
This event mirrors a similar occurrence in September 2024, when linked Hayabusa and Komachi bullet trains uncoupled between Furukawa and Sendai stations in Miyagi Prefecture. In that incident, about 320 passengers were onboard, but no injuries were sustained.
JR East has initiated investigations to determine the cause of these uncoupling incidents and is conducting thorough inspections to prevent future occurrences. Passengers are advised to check the latest updates and schedules before traveling on Shinkansen lines. Keep Reading Questiqa.com for more.
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