TOKYO, Japan – A devastating train accident occurred on Thursday at Shin-Kanuma Station, located north of Tokyo on the Tobu Nikko Line, claiming the lives of four workers who were carrying out weed control work on the railway track.

The accident involved the Tokyo-bound Spacia express train, which entered the station while the workers were still on site. The four deceased individuals – three workers and a supervisor – were rushed to a hospital but unfortunately pronounced dead.

Details of the Incident

According to the Tochigi prefectural police, the workers were assigned to spray herbicide, while six other people at the site – two other workers, three on lookout duty, and an on-site supervisor – were safe. The 50 passengers on the train remained uninjured.

Railway officials stated that it was unclear why the workers did not leave the site when the train was approaching, or what the lookout people were doing. They are cooperating with authorities to investigate the cause of the accident.

The railway staff are required to warn fellow workers of an approaching train by waving a flag, using a whistle, or a microphone. However, the events that transpired before and during the accident are still under investigation.

Apology and Investigation

Takao Suzuki, head of Tobu’s railway business division, apologized for the fatal accident.