Recently, a video of a snake falling from the luggage rack on a high-speed train has been circulating on social media, sparking concerns about travel safety. The related topic quickly became a hot search, prompting a response from the railway department several days later, reigniting the trending discussion.
On May 17, on the D195 high-speed train from Yiwu to Jinhua in Zhejiang, the cabin was dimly lit when a long and slender “dark shadow” wriggled near the luggage rack and dropped onto a passenger, causing screams from nearby passengers who thought a snake had fallen. The video was quickly shared online, spreading the rumor of a “snake on the high-speed train,” leading to it becoming a hot search topic. Netizens criticized the poor safety of high-speed trains, with millions expressing concerns about travel safety.
It wasn’t until the evening of May 23 that the railway department officially responded to the incident, explaining that it was an eel brought by a passenger. The eel crawled out of an unsealed bag while the train was operating in the Yiwu to Jinhua section, fell onto the passenger, who then put the eel back in the bag and later placed it at the carriage connection point before getting off at Hengyang station, without causing harm to others.
The topic of the “snake falling from luggage rack on high-speed train” once again trended on May 24, with numerous users commenting. Some expressed shock, saying, “I would have fainted on the spot! It’s outrageous for such things to happen on a high-speed train!” Others criticized the careless behavior of the passenger, stating, “Bringing live fish without sealing it properly, isn’t that endangering others? What if it scared the elderly or children?” Some questioned the security check process, asking, “How could a live eel be brought onto a high-speed train? What are they checking during security screenings?”
A post by prominent blogger “Sharp Critic” pointed out that although this incident may seem like a funny mistake, it exposed significant loopholes in the security checks and passenger item management on high-speed trains, serving as a warning to everyone.
According to the “Railway Safety Management Regulations,” passengers are not allowed to bring live animals into stations and trains. Aquatic animals intended for consumption must be completely sealed to prevent leakage or escape. The passenger who brought the live eel without proper packaging has violated the rules for boarding. Additionally, the security check process needs to be reconsidered as the fact that a live animal could be brought on board indicates oversight in the inspection process.