Snake Scare on Chinese High-Speed Train Was Actually an Eel

A moment of panic aboard a Chinese high-speed train last week turned out to be a case of mistaken identity, as officials confirmed that what passengers believed was a snake falling from an overhead luggage rack was in fact an eel being carried by a fellow traveler. The incident, which occurred on May 17 aboard the D195 train, sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media before authorities stepped in to clarify.

The Incident

The D195 train, operated by the Nanning Passenger Transport Section of China Railway Nanning Bureau, was traveling between Yiwu and Jinhua stations when an object suddenly fell from the luggage rack above seat 3B in Car 9, landing on the passenger seated below. According to CCTV News, the passenger quickly retrieved the object, resealed it in its bag, and moved the bag to the carriage connection area for the remainder of the journey.

Video footage of the incident began circulating online shortly afterward, with viewers claiming that a snake had fallen from the luggage rack. The clip quickly gained traction on Chinese social media platforms, with many expressing alarm at the prospect of a live snake loose on a crowded high-speed train.

Official Clarification

On May 23, the Nanning Passenger Transport Section released an official statement on its Weibo account, setting the record straight. After reviewing surveillance video footage and interviewing relevant personnel, authorities confirmed that the object was not a snake but an eel — a common food item in Chinese cuisine.

The China News Service reported the full details of the official statement: the eel had been in a bag that was not properly sealed, allowing it to crawl out and fall onto the passenger. The passenger promptly placed the eel back into the bag, sealed it securely, and moved it to the carriage connection area. When the train arrived at Hengyang Station, the passenger disembarked with the eel. Officials confirmed that no other passengers were affected or harmed during the incident.

The incident highlights how quickly visual ambiguity can escalate on Chinese social media. Eels and snakes can appear strikingly similar in brief or unclear video footage, particularly when seen moving unexpectedly. What began as a mundane travel mishap — a poorly sealed bag of food — was transformed into a sensational claim that trended across platforms before the official clarification was issued.

Kuai Technology noted that the railway authority used the incident as an opportunity to remind passengers about proper packaging requirements for aquatic products, reinforcing existing regulations designed to prevent such disruptions.

Railway Reminder

In the wake of the incident, railway officials issued a reminder to passengers: when traveling by train with sealed packaged aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, crabs, shellfish, or mollusks, passengers must ensure the packaging is secure and well-sealed according to regulations. They should also monitor their items during the journey to prevent any abnormalities that could affect normal train order.

Broader Context

China’s high-speed rail network, the largest in the world with over 42,000 kilometers of track, carries millions of passengers daily. While passengers are permitted to carry sealed food items including aquatic products, regulations require that such items be properly packaged and monitored. This incident, while unusual, was isolated and resolved without harm, and does not indicate any broader safety concerns with China’s rail system.

What’s Next

The incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media to amplify ordinary events into viral sensations — and the importance of official channels in correcting misinformation. For Chinese railway authorities, it has also provided a teachable moment about luggage regulations that may lead to increased awareness among passengers carrying aquatic products.

As for the eel, its final destination remains unknown — but it has certainly earned its place in Chinese internet lore.