FOUR RAILWAY WORKERS KILLED BY EXPRESS TRAIN IN JAPAN

Four railway workers were killed when struck by an express train at Shin-Kanuma Station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Thursday. The workers, described as being in their 50s and 60s, were spraying herbicide on the tracks when the Spacia X2 limited-express train approached the station at approximately 10:45 a.m. Three other workers at the site remained uninjured. The train was bound for Asakusa in Tokyo and carried approximately 50 passengers, none of whom were injured.

According to Tobu Railway Co., a designated lookout was present at the work site and was supposed to alert workers of the approaching train using a flag signal, whilst the train driver was expected to acknowledge by sounding the horn. The driver did sound the horn after observing the flag signal. However, railway officials stated they could not confirm whether the lookout properly alerted the workers to leave the tracks, and said it remained unclear why the workers did not vacate the area when the train approached. The four deceased comprised three workers and a supervisor. Six other people at the site, including additional workers and lookout personnel, were safe.

Takao Suzuki, head of Tobu's railway business division, apologised for the incident and said the company would implement preventive measures. Services on the Tobu Nikko Line were suspended for several hours following the collision but resumed later Thursday. Authorities in Tochigi Prefecture are investigating the cause of the accident. Fatal train accidents are uncommon in Japan, which maintains a reputation for safe and punctual railway operations.