Accident paralyzes Tokaido Shinkansen service between Hamamatsu and Nagoya

Due to the derailment of a maintenance train, operations on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Hamamatsu and Nagoya stations were suspended early Monday. Services are not expected to resume until late afternoon.

Central Japan Railway, also known as JR Central, which operates the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, had previously closed a section of the line between Tokyo and Nagoya stations. from the first train of the day.

JR Central said work to resume operations was expected to continue until late afternoon and that it was unclear when full operations could resume.

JR Central said a maintenance train laying ballast, or small stones under the tracks, collided with a stopped maintenance train tamping down the ballast on a section of track between Toyohashi and Mikawa-Anjo stations in Aichi Prefecture shortly after 3:30 a.m.

The collision caused both trains to derail and two workers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both trains had finished their work and were on their way home.

All Nozomi trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line were cancelled. West Japan Railway (JR West) suspended through service between its Sanyo Shinkansen Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

All Nippon Airways will operate special flights between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Osaka International Airport, known as Itami Airport.

Crowds gather at Nagoya Station on Monday morning following the temporary suspension of Tokaido Shinkansen service. | Jiji