A limited express train on the Tobu Nikko Line crashed into four workers at Shin‑Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, around 10:46 a.m. local time. This tragedy unfolded as the men were removing weeds from the rail corridor, a routine task that was unfortunately disrupted by the approaching train.
According to police, three of the workers were trapped under the train upon the arrival of emergency services, while a fourth was on the platform when the collision occurred. Rescue teams faced a harrowing scene, as the train's powerful mass made extraction difficult.
The incident forced the suspension of all train services on the Tobu Nikko Line, prompting a thorough investigation into safety measures. A passenger aboard the train reported hearing an unusual noise, which prompted the train to brake abruptly, placing commuters in a precarious situation while the crew investigated.
The train involved was classified as a limited express, among Japan’s fastest lines after the Shinkansen. Railway protocols typically require a station worker to alert track crews of impending trains, but the exact status of such a safety protocol was unclear at the time of the accident.
Fatal train accidents remain exceptionally rare across Japan’s extensive rail network, but incidents such as this highlight the necessity for continuous safety oversight and proper training for workers on active tracks.
