(SHIZ) — OzRail is working to bring passengers home after a mysterious portal opened on a Purple Line platform, scattering people across Oz.
The magical anomaly appeared Thursday morning at Shiz Central Station, moments after a Purple Line commuter train arrived from the Gillikin countryside.
Witnesses say the air above the platform shimmered before forming a swirling violet gateway that pulled dozens of passengers off the platform and whisked them to random locations across Oz.
Transit officials estimate that 73 passengers were transported through the portal before station staff halted all service and cleared the platform.
Within hours, search teams from Quadling Yard and OzRail began locating passengers in towns, forests, and fields across Oz.
Several riders reportedly appeared near Emerald City’s western gardens, while others were found in the Munchkin farmlands and along the banks of the Winkie River. No injuries were reported.
As of Monday morning, OzRail says every displaced passenger has been located or accounted for. Most are being transported back to Shiz aboard special OzRail recovery trains, escorted stagecoaches, and aerial courier balloons operated by OzPost.
OzRail spokesperson Barty Jackson says the goal is to reunite passengers with families and ensure they reach their final destinations safely.
“We’re coordinating transport from every region where passengers appeared,” Jackson said. “Anyone displaced by the incident will receive free travel and personal assistance until they get home safely.”
Meanwhile, investigators from Quadling Yard have sealed off the Shiz platform where the portal first appeared.
They are examining whether the anomaly was caused by arcane interference, a magical artifact, or a rare natural phenomenon.
Scholars from the Royal Academy of Oz Arcane Sciences Department have been working alongside investigators to stabilize and close the disturbance. Academy officials say the portal has been contained but is not fully understood.
Professor Belmira Thatch of the Academy says researchers successfully weakened the gateway late Sunday night.
“The portal has collapsed to a dormant state,” Thatch said. “We believe it can no longer transport passengers, but we’re continuing to monitor the site.”
For now, OzRail has suspended Purple Line service through Shiz while crews inspect tracks and remove lingering portal residue from the platform.
Transit officials say limited Purple Line service could resume within the next 24 hours if investigators determine the station and platform are safe.
