Power outage leaves 30,000 individuals stranded at Osaka exposition, prompting discussions on enhanced disaster management plans
Osaka World Expo Hit by Electrical Failure and Transport Disruption
The Japan World Exposition in Osaka faced significant challenges last night as a electrical failure on the Chuo Line led to a suspension of subway services from around 9:30 PM until 5:25 AM the next day. This outage left approximately 30,000 visitors stranded, with many unable to leave the expo site and forced to spend the night in the fairgrounds.
The Chuo Line is the only direct railway connection between Osaka city center and Yumeshima Island, where the expo was held. This disruption caused severe impact on the visitor experience.
Visitors faced overcrowding, extreme heat, and a lack of transportation alternatives, leading to fainting and health issues. A total of 36 people required hospital care for symptoms such as headaches and numbness.
Visitors also criticized the lack of information and crisis management, with many waiting in long lines for taxis or advised to remain inside the venue overnight. Osaka Metro publicly apologized for the inconvenience caused.
The situation at Yumeshima station was described as being packed like sardines, with some people fainting due to the heat. The Asahi Shimbun reported the experiences and criticisms of a man from Saitama prefecture who waited for a taxi due to not being able to catch the train at the station. He expressed the need for better information for visitors.
The electrical failure and subsequent service disruption caused congestion at the Yumeshima station. Kyodo news agency reported the halt of services on the Chuo Line. The Asahi Shimbun also reported temporary entry restrictions due to the large number of people trying to leave.
It is not clear if the man from Saitama eventually reached his destination or not. Despite the challenges, the World Exposition in Osaka, hosted on the artificial island of Yumeshima, continues to attract visitors and showcase the latest innovations from around the world.
Read also:
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Tinubu's administration allegedly causing issues within every political party as Peter Obi's name surfaces - Obidient Movement asserts
