West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced on Friday morning that Sanyo Shinkansen services between Hakata and Hiroshima stations have been suspended after a piece of plastic got caught in the overhead wires at JR Kokura Station. The driver of the Nozomi 103 train from Tokyo to Hakata spotted the issue and shut off the power supply for safety. This led to a power outage between Hakata and Shin-Shimonoseki stations starting at 11:03 a.m.
Services on the Sanyo Shinkansen line came to a halt around 11:03 a.m. on March 13 due to an issue with the overhead wires. According to JR West, the driver of the Nozomi 103 train traveling from Tokyo to Hakata noticed a piece of plastic entangled in the wires at JR Kokura Station. To prioritize safety, the driver immediately cut the power, resulting in an outage between Hakata and Shin-Shimonoseki stations that affected operations between Hakata and Hiroshima.
JR West stressed that passenger safety was the top concern in this response. No timeline for resumption has been provided yet. The Sanyo Shinkansen serves as a vital route connecting Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture to Hiroshima, carrying numerous passengers daily. Such technical disruptions can lead to delays and cancellations, inconveniencing travelers.
Similar incidents involving overhead wires have historically impacted Shinkansen services. JR West plans to investigate the cause thoroughly. Efforts are underway to offer alternative transportation options to mitigate effects on passengers.
