Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Express Train Kills Four Railway Workers at Japanese Station
An express train hit four railway workers at a station in Japan.
The workers were spraying herbicide to control weeds near the track.
Three workers and a supervisor died after being taken to a hospital.
Six other people working at the site were safe.
About 50 passengers on the train were also unharmed.
Workers called lookouts are supposed to warn others when a train is coming.
Officials are investigating why the workers did not leave the track in time.
The railway company apologized and said it would work to prevent another accident.
A Tokyo-bound Spacia express train struck four workers at Shin-Kanuma Station in Japan on Thursday.
The victims included three workers and one supervisor conducting weed-control work on the track.
Six other workers and supervisors at the site, along with about 50 passengers, were uninjured.
Officials said possible miscommunication may have prevented the workers from leaving the track, but the cause remains under investigation.
Train service on the Tobu Nikko Line was suspended for several hours before resuming later Thursday.
- Who
- Four railway workers, including three workers and a supervisor, were killed; the train carried about 50 passengers.
- What
- A Tokyo-bound Spacia express train struck the workers during weed-control work.
- When
- Thursday; train services resumed later that day after several hours of suspension.
- Where
- Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line, north of Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- The cause was not determined; officials said initial accounts suggested possible miscommunication involving lookout duties.
- Location
- Shin-Kanuma Station, Tobu Nikko Line, north of Tokyo
- Victims
- Four people: three workers and one supervisor
- Work underway
- Herbicide spraying for railway-track weed control
- Others at site
- Six people, including two workers, three lookouts and an on-site supervisor, were safe
- Passengers
- About 50 passengers were uninjured
- Train service
- Suspended for several hours and later resumed
- Company response
- Tobu Railway executive Takao Suzuki apologized and promised preventive measures