Italy's high-speed rail system, renowned globally for its liberalization, is under scrutiny following a bizarre incident involving a nail that disrupted services.

The malfunction has sparked a broader discussion about the country's rail infrastructure, particularly the overwhelming number of high-speed trains operating between Rome and Milan.

With Rome's Termini station handling up to 1,000 trains daily, the system is showing signs of strain, evidenced by 10,000 annual interruptions.

The involvement of numerous external companies in track maintenance further complicates the situation, highlighting the need for a more robust and unified approach to managing Italy's rail network.