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Japan Today
2 days ago
- Japan Today
All Tokyo Yamanote line services briefly suspended due to fire caused by power bank in bag
All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo were briefly suspended Sunday afternoon after a fire, likely caused by a power bank in a passenger's bag, left that passenger and four others with minor injuries, police said. Police quoted the passenger, a woman in her 30s, as saying that "the battery became hot when charging my smartphone, and (the phone) caught fire in around 30 seconds," burning her bag. The incident disrupted train traffic in the Japanese capital, affecting around 98,000 people, JR East said. The fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. on a train traveling between Shin-Okubo and Shinjuku stations. All services on the busy loop line were suspended but resumed by around 6:10 p.m. In addition to the woman, who suffered a burn on her finger, four others in their 20s to 50s were injured while trying to evacuate the train. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Incidents involving such batteries catching fire tend to increase between June and August, when temperatures are higher, according to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. The ministry bans travelers from placing mobile batteries in checked baggage on flights. Starting this month, it is also urging passengers to keep power banks within reach during flights, following a series of incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire onboard. © KYODO
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
Fire in carry-on briefly halts Tokyo loop line, power bank suspected
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo were briefly suspended Sunday afternoon after a fire, likely caused by a power bank in a passenger's bag, left that passenger and four others with minor injuries, police said. Police quoted the passenger, a woman in her 30s, as saying that "the battery became hot when charging my smartphone, and (the phone) caught fire in around 30 seconds," burning her bag. The incident disrupted train traffic in the Japanese capital, affecting around 98,000 people, JR East said. The fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. on a train traveling between Shin-Okubo and Shinjuku stations. All services on the busy loop line were suspended but resumed by around 6:10 p.m. In addition to the woman, who suffered a burn on her finger, four others in their 20s to 50s were injured while trying to evacuate the train. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Incidents involving such batteries catching fire tend to increase between June and August, when temperatures are higher, according to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. The ministry bans travelers from placing mobile batteries in checked baggage on flights. Starting this month, it is also urging passengers to keep power banks within reach during flights, following a series of incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire onboard.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Korea Herald
Muan crash briefing canceled upon bereaved families' protest
A government briefing on the engine investigation into the deadly Muan plane crash in December was abruptly canceled on Saturday after protests from victims' families, a South Korean transport ministry official said. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had scheduled the press conference for 3 p.m. at Muan International Airport to release findings on the aircraft's engine. The results were first shared privately with the bereaved families at around 2 p.m. Although the briefing was initially expected to last an hour, discussions extended beyond two hours as families strongly objected to the findings. Some entered the press room in protest, prompting the ministry to cancel the event. 'The families said the outcome differed from their expectations and expressed concern that disclosing only part of the investigation could be misleading,' a ministry official told The Korea Herald. The families also insisted that no findings be made public until the full investigation is complete. They further demanded supporting data and documentation to substantiate the results, but the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, which is leading the probe, reportedly failed to provide detailed evidence or an explanation of the investigative process. The canceled briefing was expected to mark the first official update in the seven-month probe. On Dec. 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. Of the 181 people on board, only two survived. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed. DNA traces believed to be from Eurasian teal ducks were found in both engines, fueling speculation that a bird strike may have triggered engine failure--a leading theory in the investigation. The ministry said it will leave it to the investigation board to decide whether and how to release the findings through other channels.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Korea Herald
Families force halt to Muan crash briefing
A government briefing on the engine investigation into the deadly Muan plane crash in December was abruptly canceled on Saturday after protests from victims' families, a South Korean transport ministry official said. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had scheduled the press conference for 3 p.m. at Muan International Airport to release findings on the aircraft's engine. The results were first shared privately with the bereaved families at around 2 p.m. Although the briefing was initially expected to last an hour, discussions extended beyond two hours as families strongly objected to the findings. Some entered the press room in protest, prompting the ministry to cancel the event. 'The families said the outcome differed from their expectations and expressed concern that disclosing only part of the investigation could be misleading,' a ministry official told The Korea Herald. The families also insisted that no findings be made public until the full investigation is complete. They further demanded supporting data and documentation to substantiate the results, but the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, which is leading the probe, reportedly failed to provide detailed evidence or an explanation of the investigative process. The canceled briefing was expected to mark the first official update in the seven-month probe. On Dec. 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. Of the 181 people on board, only two survived. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed. DNA traces believed to be from Eurasian teal ducks were found in both engines, fueling speculation that a bird strike may have triggered engine failure--a leading theory in the investigation. The ministry said it will leave it to the investigation board to decide whether and how to release the findings through other channels.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- The Sun
Japan urges travellers to keep power banks accessible on flights
TOKYO: The Japanese government has started advising travellers to keep portable chargers within easy reach during flights following multiple reports of power banks catching fire mid-air. The new safety measure aims to prevent potential hazards caused by overheating or damaged lithium-ion batteries. Airport staff nationwide have begun requesting passenger cooperation, with All Nippon Airways employees at Tokyo's Haneda Airport reminding flyers not to store power banks in overhead compartments. A staff member stated, 'For safety, we would like to ask for understanding and cooperation.' Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in power banks, can ignite if physically damaged or degraded over time, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Current regulations prohibit power banks in checked baggage and restrict the number and capacity allowed in carry-on luggage. - Bernama-Kyodo
