Train operations at Milan’s Central Station were paralyzed Saturday morning following an alleged malfunction in the railway network’s overhead line, resulting in delays of up to 170 minutes and the cancellation of several trains.
The disruption, which began at 7:50 a.m., temporarily suspended services between Milan and major cities including Genoa, Venice, and Bologna, according to Trenitalia. The rail operator attributed the issue to a possible power fault, with technical inspections currently underway.
The incident has also caused nationwide delays, with Rome’s Termini Station registering delays of up to 140 minutes. Italian rail agency Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) initially reported the issue as a “malfunction of the electrical line,” while Polfer railway police later revealed they are investigating whether a train departing from Milan around 7 a.m. may have caused damage to the overhead line.
As of Saturday morning, 12 trains were waiting to depart from Milan’s central station, 15 were delayed by up to 170 minutes, and four were canceled.
Trenitalia has urged passengers to avoid or limit train travel unless absolutely necessary and advised postponing departures where possible.
The disruption highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining Italy’s railway infrastructure, with technicians working urgently to restore services and minimize further delays.
