ALBAWABA - Japan's high-speed trains are known for their very precise timetable usually, but something unexpectedly disrupted one of them, causing an entire 17-minute delay for passengers traveling between Nagoya and Tokyo, and the cause was none other than a snake that made its way onto the tracks.
Alerted by a passenger, railway security personnel responded swiftly to reports of a 40 centimeters long snake aboard the Shinkansen train. Despite efforts to maintain order, the presence of the snake caused passengers to feel concerned as they worried about possible risks.
While details regarding the snake's species and how it gained access to the train to begin with remain unclear, railway officials said that there were no injuries reported. However, the incident caused a review of security measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future. Swift action was quickly taken by railway authorities.
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Unlike other small animals allowed on Shinkansen trains, such as dogs and cats, snakes are prohibited. Although luggage inspections are not routinely made, passengers are expected to follow the regulations prohibiting the transport of snakes on board.
In response to the incident, the affected train's route to Osaka was temporarily diverted to allow for thorough inspection and clearance, which made the passengers experience a brief delay in reaching their destination due to the importance of safety protocols.
While this was a very strange event, and one those involved in it likely won't forget, at least thankfully no one got hurt at the end of the day, minus the 17-minute delay.
