Massive landslide in Hokkaido leaves railway tracks hanging in midair
News On Japan via Mainichi -- Apr 28
Services on a train line here have been seriously disrupted after a massive landslide along a railway embankment, probably due to snowmelt, left part of the line's tracks hanging in the air.
According to Hokkaido Railway Co. (JR Hokkaido) officials, the driver of a local train on the JR Sekisho Line reported experiencing "a vertical shake" at around 7:10 a.m. on April 27, when it was passing between Yubari and Shikanotani stations.
The landslide, which swept the earth out from under the tracks for some 50 meters, reaching a nearby municipal road, is presumed to have occurred shortly after the train passed by, officials say.
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