“On Tuesday, a passenger on a train traveling from Nagoya to Tokyo in Japan spotted a 40-centimeter (nearly 16-inch) snake on board, leading to a 17-minute delay. The presence of the unexpected reptile raised questions about how it managed to enter the train. Despite the unusual occurrence, there were no reports of injuries or panic among passengers, according to a spokesman for the Central Japan Railway Company, as reported by AFP.”
“The spokesman expressed skepticism about the possibility of wild snakes climbing onto the train at stations, highlighting existing regulations prohibiting passengers from bringing snakes onto the Shinkansen. This statement underscores the perplexity surrounding how the snake found its way onto the train, raising further questions about the incident’s origins and the measures in place to prevent such occurrences.”
“However,” he added, “we don’t check passengers’ baggage.”Following the incident, Japan Today reported that a staff member from the Central Japan Railway Company managed to capture the snake. The reptile was discovered in car no. 6 of the 16-car train and was promptly handed over to local authorities. This swift action by railway staff highlights their dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers despite the unexpected intrusion of wildlife onto the train.
The report also mentioned that the railway operator is actively investigating the matter to determine how the snake managed to enter the train undetected.Initially bound for Osaka, the train’s itinerary was disrupted by the incident. In response, the company opted to substitute another train for the journey, resulting in a delay of approximately 17 minutes, as confirmed by the spokesperson to AFP. This decision reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining the safety and efficiency of its services amid unexpected circumstances.
Security inside bullet trains in Japan was scaled up following the stabbing incident in 2018 inside a Shinkansen train. The train carried more than 800 passengers at the time of the incident. Japanese authorities also sentenced a man to life imprisonment in connection with the incident. Security was also increased inside Japan’s trains in connection with the Summer Olympics in 2021 and the Group of Seven meetings last year.Launched in 1964, the Shinkansen train network in Japan has never suffered any accident resulting in passenger fatalities or injuries, Japan Railways said.
