Tobu Railway subsidiary raided after fatal train accident in Tochigi

Tochigi Prefectural Police raided the offices of Tobu Kensetsu, a subsidiary of Tobu Railway, on Sunday following a fatal accident on the Tobu Nikko Line. The investigation focuses on suspected professional negligence resulting in death.

On August 20, four workers in their 50s and 60s were killed after being struck by the Spacia X No. 2 limited-express train while performing weed-clearing duties near Shin-Kanuma Station. While the train driver reported seeing a signal indicating workers had cleared the tracks and subsequently sounded the horn, the workers remained on the line.

Preliminary findings suggest a breakdown in communication between lookouts. Reports indicate that a relay lookout was unable to communicate with the primary lookout responsible for signaling the train. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued a warning to Tobu Railway as police continue to analyze seized safety manuals and contracts to determine if safety management protocols were insufficient.