In brief
A terrifying collision occurred on the Tobu Nikko Line near Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, when a limited express train struck four workers who were removing weeds from the tracks. The accident left three workers trapped beneath the train and one on the platform, with emergency responders quickly arriving on the scene. The train, noted for being the second-fastest in Japan after the Shinkansen, was halted after a reported “strange noise” and passengers were temporarily stranded. Railway services on the line have been suspended pending investigation. Fatal train accidents are uncommon in Japan, where an extensive rail network relies on crew and sensor systems to prevent such tragedies.
Four workers died after being hit by a train in Japan
A limited express train crashed into four workers clearing weeds from the tracks at Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, at about 10:46 local time. The rapid collision left three workers trapped beneath the train and one on the platform, leading to an immediate emergency response.
The Tobu Nikko Line, operated by a private railway company, has suspended all service following the accident. A passenger on the doomed train recalled hearing a “strange noise” before the vehicle stopped in an emergency.
The train involved was a limited express, the second-fastest category in Japan after the Shinkansen. Typically, crews stationed near tracks warn workers when a train approaches.
Although Japan’s sprawling rail network enjoys a strong safety record, fatalities due to train accidents remain rare. The investigation into this tragedy has just begun.
