Power Line Damage Disrupts Overnight Train Service in Israel

Overnight train services in Israel experienced significant disruptions due to damage to the overhead electrical lines caused by infrastructure work conducted by the Israel Electric Corporation near the community of Shapim. The incident occurred when a cable being worked on by the electric company's crews struck the railway's electrification system, leading to a temporary halt in train movement.

The disruption primarily affected passengers traveling between Tel Aviv (Savidor Central station) and Netanya, impacting those heading to Ben Gurion Airport (Natbag) from northern Israel. Passengers were forced to seek alternative transportation, such as taxis, to reach their destinations.

Israel Railways dispatched teams to the scene to repair the damaged electrical cables. The company announced shortly after 6 a.m. that the fault had been repaired and that train services were gradually returning to normal.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of coordinating infrastructure work between different utility companies and the national railway system to prevent disruptions for commuters.