Disruption at Osaka Expo Train Service: Temporary Halting of Trains to Destination Venue
Train Service Disruption and Power Outage Affect Visitors at Osaka's 2025 World Expo
Visitors to the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka faced an unexpected challenge on Wednesday night when a sudden power outage caused by a short-circuit on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line halted the only train service to the Expo site on Yumeshima Island.
The power outage occurred around 9:30 p.m., leaving approximately 30,000 people stranded at the Expo station. The disruption lasted about eight hours, with partial operations resuming by 10:10 p.m. for a short segment and full service being restored early the next morning.
During this period, many visitors had to wait or spend the night near the station and Expo venue. Some slept on benches or inside pavilions converted into shelters. The extreme heat contributed to at least 36 people being hospitalized with symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Expo staff tried to ease the situation by providing light and music for the stranded crowd.
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, the event organizer, acknowledged that information sharing during the incident was insufficient. They have since committed to improving emergency communication, as well as reviewing their food and beverage distribution to better handle similar situations in the future, given the growing crowd size and ticket sales nearing 19 million with a target of 23 million.
The power outage may have been caused by a problem with the rail joints, with the short circuit possibly initiated by iron powder or moisture adhering to a sheet that covers the rail joints. It's worth noting that no reported injuries or serious health issues were caused by the power outage.
The Chuo Line was fully halted on the rail section between Yumeshima Station and Cosmosquare Station, but the power outage did not affect the entire line. Osaka Metro Co. was the train line operator during the power outage.
Despite the temporary setback, the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka continues to attract large crowds, showcasing the latest in technology, culture, and innovation from around the globe. The organizer is implementing measures to prevent recurrence and improve incident management going forward.
Photos capturing the crowd's resilience during the train service disruption and power outage at the 2025 World Exposition became popular on social media platforms, as people shared their personal experiences and health-and-wellness tips for staying safe and comfortable in such situations. Some fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts even posted workout routines they followed while waiting for the train service to resume, using the unique setting as an opportunity to stay active and maintain healthy habits.
