started · updated
Tobu Railway workers killed by express train in Japan
Four maintenance workers, men aged between 50 and 60, were killed on Thursday morning after being struck by a Tobu Railway Spacia X express train at Shin-Kanuma Station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo. The workers were performing vegetation control and herbicide application on the tracks when the collision occurred at approximately 10:45 local time.
Investigations are focusing on a potential breakdown in safety communication. While the train driver reportedly sounded the horn after receiving a signal from a lookout indicating that workers had cleared the tracks, authorities are unsure why the four men remained on the line. Tobu Railway noted that while multiple lookouts were positioned, there appeared to be a failure in communication between them.
Approximately 50 passengers were on board the six-car train, but none were injured. The accident caused a suspension of service on the Tobu Nikko Line between Shin-Tochigi and Shimo-Imaichi stations. Police and the Ministry of Transport are investigating the incident to determine if professional negligence occurred.
Entities
Japan Transport Safety Board · Kanuma · NHK · Shin-Kanuma Station · Spacia X · Spacia X2 · Takao Suzuki · Tobu Nikko Line · Tobu Nikko Line · Tobu Railway · Tobu Railway Co. · Tochigi Prefecture
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Tobu Railway is investigating why the accident occurred despite standard monitoring systems being in place. www.parapolitika.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.bbc.co.uk · www.railwaypro.com · ghanaguardian.com · +5 more
- [● 21 SOURCES] Four maintenance workers were killed after being struck by a Spacia X express train while clearing weeds from the tracks. www.ertnews.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.bbc.co.uk · www.20minutos.es · +16 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The train was carrying approximately 50 passengers from Tobu Nikko to Tokyo. www.ertnews.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.bbc.co.uk · www.railwaypro.com · www.aztecajalisco.com · +3 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] A passenger reported hearing an unusual noise just before the train came to an abrupt stop. www.ertnews.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.bbc.co.uk · www.diariolibre.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Three workers were trapped under the train, while one was found on the platform. www.ertnews.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.bbc.co.uk · www.aktuality.sk · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The four deceased workers were men aged between 50 and 60. www.railwaypro.com · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.diariolibre.com · www.liputan6.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The train driver sounded the horn after receiving a signal from a lookout. www.railwaypro.com · agora-web.jp · japonsamourai.fr
- [● 19 SOURCES] The collision occurred at Shin-Kanuma Station in Tochigi Prefecture. www.bbc.co.uk · www.20minutos.es · www.railwaypro.com · www.aztecajalisco.com · www.calibre800.com · +14 more