TAIPEI -- Service was restored on all of Taiwan's high-speed rail lines by 11:30 a.m. Thursday, after a signal error forced several hours of delays and suspensions, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation announced.

Earlier Thursday morning, the corporation said services on all of the island's high-speed railway lines were stopped due to a signal error and the lines would not reopen until 9:30 a.m.

This was the first non-natural disaster to cause a massive halt on the island's high-speed rail lines since they were put into operation in 2007.

The halt delayed 37 trains and affected more than 20,000 passengers.

Since it was put into operation, services on the island's high-speed rail lines have mostly only been disrupted by earthquakes, typhoons or other natural disasters. Previous mechanical malfunctions have resulted in minor service suspensions or delays.

The corporation will further investigate the signal error.