In brief
Four workers were killed when struck by a limited express train in Japan as they cleared weeds from the tracks near Shin‑Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo. The collision occurred at about 10:46 local time, an hour after the Thomson Nikko Line service stopped. While emergency crews arrived, three workers were trapped beneath the train and one was on the platform. The incident has highlighted safety concerns around track maintenance procedures, as Japan’s network is both vast and heavily used. Authorities are investigating the chain of events that led to this tragic accident.
Four workers in Japan have died after being struck by a train at Shin‑Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, authorities say.
The collision took place at about 10:46 local time (01:46 GMT) while the workers were removing weeds from the railway track. Local media reported that the workers were on the tracks handling maintenance tasks when the incident occurred.
Emergency services arrived to find three workers trapped under the train and a fourth on the platform. The situation remains under investigation.
The incident forced the suspension of services on the Tobu Nikko Line, the railway company operating the route confirmed. The train involved was a limited express vehicle, known for being one of the fastest trains in Japan aside from the Shinkansen.
A passenger reported hearing a “strange noise” before a sudden emergency stop. Passengers were temporarily stuck on the train as staff investigated the sound, according to NHK.
Normally, a staffed signal or safety crew watches the tracks to warn workers of approaching trains. It is currently unclear what the operational conditions were when the accident happened, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
Trains striking track workers are rare in Japan given its extensive and well‑maintained railway network, though this case underscores the need for stringent safety protocols during maintenance activities.
