Copper cables attached to rail joints were cut and removed at approximately 150 locations on two JR lines in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Upon inspection by JR, on the 15th, new cables were installed on the Sanyo Main Line. Amputations were confirmed in approximately 10 locations. As a result of the incident, operations on the Sanyo Main Line were suspended for over three hours, and police are investigating the incident as a possible theft.
At JR in Yamaguchi Prefecture, copper cables called "Rail Bonds" that are attached to rail joints have been cut and removed in approximately 110 locations on the Ube Line and 40 locations on the Sanyo Main Line. This means that approximately 300 trees were damaged.
JR West is conducting an inspection, and at around 1:10 p.m. on the 15th, it was confirmed that 10 more ``rail bonds'' had been severed and missing within the premises of Ube Station on the Sanyo Main Line. .
As a result of this, Sanyo Main Line service was suspended for over three hours between Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Asa Station.
According to JR, it is difficult to determine when these cables were cut, and they plan to continue checking other lines for damage.
Police are also investigating the incident on suspicion of theft after receiving a report from JR.