“It was rush hour, so many passengers had no choice but to wait at Thuong Dinh Station,” said Hai, a commuter on the train.

Confirming the incident to VietNamNet, a representative from Hanoi Metro Co., Ltd. stated that the train’s inability to complete its full route was due to a signaling error at Cat Linh Station.

“The issue has been resolved, and train operations have returned to normal,” the company representative added.

This is not the first time the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line has experienced service disruptions. On February 25, trains were also halted due to a technical failure involving a track switch.

The Cat Linh - Ha Dong line is Hanoi’s first urban railway system, officially launched in November 2021. The elevated route stretches 13 kilometers, serviced by 13 trains across 12 stations.

According to Hanoi Metro’s management, the line transports approximately 40,000 passengers per day.

Later that evening, Hanoi Metro Co., Ltd. released a statement regarding the incident. According to the announcement, at 5:36 PM on May 30, a switch warning error was detected at Cat Linh Station on Line 2A.

The company immediately activated its operational response plan and technical protocols. Electricity was cut at four stations in Zone A - spanning from Cat Linh to Lang Stations - to ensure safety for technical staff to access the site and resolve the issue. Meanwhile, a short-loop shuttle service was established between Thuong Dinh and Yen Nghia Stations.

“Within 25 minutes, the problem was resolved. Power was then restored to Zone A, and all trains on the line resumed normal service. This type of switch error is a known scenario covered in Hanoi Metro’s emergency response plan,” a company representative stated.

During the incident, Hanoi Metro provided regular audio updates on trains and in stations to inform passengers. Staff were mobilized to assist and guide commuters, as well as process ticket refunds for those who chose not to continue their journey.

N. Huyen