Overview of the Incident

In a groundbreaking and alarming event, a Shinkansen bullet train service made an emergency stop after two of its linked trains uncoupled while in motion. This unprecedented incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 19, as the service was traveling between Furukawa and Sendai stations in Miyagi Prefecture.

Confirmation from JR East

East Japan Railway (JR East) confirmed that this is the first recorded instance where two trains uncoupled while moving, sparking widespread concern and prompting an immediate investigation into what caused this frightening disconnection.

The Affected Service: Hayabusa Komachi No. 6

The affected service, known as the Hayabusa Komachi No. 6, comprises a Hayabusa train with 10 cars and a Komachi train with 7 cars, linked together by a specialized coupler. Following the emergency stop, services on the Tohoku Shinkansen line – connecting Tokyo to Shin-Aomori – were suspended for approximately five hours, with operations only resuming around 1 PM.

Passenger Safety

At the time of the incident, there were around 200 passengers on the Hayabusa and another 120 onboard the Komachi. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or illnesses among the passengers, and the trains remained on the tracks, with air-conditioning systems functioning normally.

Technical Details of the Coupler System

JR East revealed that the coupler responsible for connecting the trains is controlled by a programmed system designed to detach when trains reduce speed to 5 km/h (approximately 3 mph) or less. The two trains had been linked at Morioka station and were en route to Tokyo when the alarming event transpired.

Driver's Report

Interestingly, the train's driver reported that he did not hear any unusual noises or feel any shaking prior to the sudden application of the emergency brakes, indicating that the uncoupling may have occurred without warning.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation into this incident is expected to delve deep into the functionality of the coupler systems and safety mechanisms in place to prevent such occurrences. As Japan's Shinkansen trains are renowned worldwide for their speed and safety, this shocking event raises critical questions about the reliability of even the most sophisticated railway systems.

Conclusion and Follow-Up

Stay tuned for more updates as JR East provides further information on this startling situation!