On June 17th, the Shenzhen Metro Line 11 experienced a sudden malfunction, with passengers reporting “sudden loud noises” and “smoke in the carriage, everyone evacuate urgently!” During the morning rush hour, the metro malfunctioned, causing anxiety among the crowded passengers, many of whom appeared panicked and unsure of what to do.
Many netizens posted on June 17th, indicating that there seemed to be a loud noise on Metro Line 11, with crowds evacuating and train services being suspended.
Some netizens stated, “Explosive sounds and smoke on Shenzhen Line 11,” “Line 11, the train slowed down at Bihai Bay station, and upon arrival, they asked us to get off, then heard an explosion sound”…
In response, some netizens revealed, “Shenzhen is experiencing heavy rain, and there seems to be a fire at Bihai Bay station on Line 11, with multiple trains on the line temporarily stopped for more than fifteen minutes.” “Today, there will be tens of thousands of people late again, right?”
Photos from the scene showed a dense crowd on the platform, with many passengers looking anxious and visibly distressed.
Some netizens mentioned that the direction toward Huaqiangbei South was as crowded as usual: a sea of people.
Following the incident, the Shenzhen Metro issued three consecutive announcements:
At 8:45 am, Shenzhen Metro issued an operational notice – due to equipment malfunctions, there were train delays on Line 11, expected to last more than 20 minutes.
At 9:07 am, Shenzhen Metro issued another operational notice – the current malfunction on Line 11 is under emergency handling, and it will take some time to resume normal operation.
At 9:20 am, another operational notice was released by the Shenzhen Metro.
At 9:31 am, the official statement clarified that the “explosion sound” was actually due to a train electrical malfunction, and the faulty train was moved to the storage tracks.
Despite the official explanation of an “electrical malfunction,” netizens continued to discuss fervently: “Can an electrical malfunction produce such a loud sound?” “If it’s a minor issue, why the urgent evacuation?”
Blogger “Starry Pen Talk” wrote an article emphasizing the need for more transparent explanations from authorities.
1. How frightening can an “electrical malfunction” be? Passengers described it as resembling an “explosion”!
While officials stated it was just an “electrical malfunction,” passengers’ firsthand accounts were alarming: “A loud bang, like a tire burst!”
“There was a burnt smell in the carriage, and some people were screaming in fear!”
“Staff ran over and shouted, ‘Get off quickly!'”
2. Information dissemination remains questionable.
Shenzhen Metro Line 11 is the 6th operational metro line within the city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, commencing operations on June 28, 2016, with its Phase I project, and expanding on December 28, 2024, with Phase II.
As of December 2024, Shenzhen Metro Line 11 spans a total length of 57.563 kilometers, including 45.086 kilometers underground, 11.136 kilometers on elevated tracks, and 1.451 kilometers in transition sections.
On December 31, 2024, Shenzhen Metro Line 11 recorded its highest single-day passenger flow at 1.213 million trips.
On February 7, 2025, many Shenzhen netizens reported malfunctions on Shenzhen Metro Line 11, with Shenzhen Metro issuing two operational notices in response.