World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Bear collision derails Hokkaido express train, suspending services
A four-car Sarobetsu express train derailed after hitting a bear late Friday in Hokkaido, northern Japan.
The train was traveling from Asahikawa to Wakkanai when its front car came off the track between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations.
All 32 passengers and the crew were unharmed, but passengers remained at the scene overnight because the bear may have been trapped under the train.
On Saturday morning, JR Hokkaido arranged taxis to take the passengers onward.
Train services between Wakkanai and Otoineppu were canceled for the day, disrupting travel on this stretch of the Soya Line.
Railway accident investigators were sent to the site, and there was no estimate for when services would resume.
A four-car Sarobetsu limited express train derailed after hitting a bear in Hokkaido late Friday.
The train’s first car derailed, and none of its 32 passengers or crew members were injured.
Passengers stayed aboard overnight and transferred to taxis arranged by JR Hokkaido on Saturday morning.
JR Hokkaido canceled all services on the Wakkanai–Otoineppu section on Saturday.
Japan’s Transport Safety Board decided to send two railway accident investigators.
- Who
- The passengers and crew aboard a Sarobetsu limited express train, operated by JR Hokkaido.
- What
- The train hit a bear and its first car derailed. No injuries were reported.
- When
- Around 10:50 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations on Hokkaido’s JR Soya Line.
- Why
- The train derailed after colliding with a bear.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Sarobetsu limited express train hit a bear between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations, and its first car derailed.
The train stopped at the scene with passengers still aboard because a bear might have been trapped under the train.
Passengers transferred to taxis arranged by JR Hokkaido.
JR Hokkaido canceled all services between Wakkanai and Otoineppu for the day.
- Passengers
- 32
- Train
- Four-car Sarobetsu limited express
- Derailment
- First car
- Service disruption
- Wakkanai–Otoineppu section, canceled Saturday
- Investigation
- Two railway accident investigators to be dispatched