Express Train Kills Four Track Workers at Shin‑Kanuma Station

Overview

• The accident occurred Thursday at Shin-Kanuma Station in Tochigi Prefecture when an arriving express train struck workers who were removing weeds along the tracks.
• Seven people were working on the tracks; rescuers found three trapped under the train and a fourth on the platform, and four workers were later pronounced dead at hospital.
• Police have opened an investigation focused on whether a supervisor monitored approaching trains as required by safety rules for track work.
• No passengers on the express train were reported injured, and emergency teams and local firefighting officials responded to the scene.
• The case has drawn attention because Japan’s rail system is widely seen as very safe, and authorities may tighten oversight of on-track work if failures in procedure are found.