Tokyo-bound express train hits and kills four workers at railway station in Japan

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 20/08/2026 - 15:10 GMT+2•Updated 15:10 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Railway officials said it was unclear why the workers did not leave the site when the train was approaching, or what the lookout people were doing. Four people doing weed control work on a railway track in Japan were killed after being hit by an express train as it entered a station where they were working, officials said on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The accident occurred at Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, and involved the Tokyo-bound Spacia express train, the Tochigi prefectural police said. The four, three workers and a supervisor, were rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead, according to police and train operator Tobu Railway Co. Six other people at the site, two other workers, three on lookout duty and an on-site supervisor, were safe, Tobu Railway said. They had been assigned to spray herbicide. About 50 passengers on the train were also uninjured. Railway officials said it was unclear why the workers did not leave the site when the train was approaching, or what the lookout people were doing. They said they are cooperating with authorities investigating the cause of the accident. Related Driver dies and nine people are in critical condition after two trains collide in the UK'One of the worst accidents' at Belgian level crossing, officials say after deadly crash Those on lookout duty are supposed to warn fellow workers of an approaching train by waving a flag, using a whistle or a microphone. Takao Suzuki, head of Tobu's railway business division, apologised for the fatal accident. “We take this severe accident seriously and we will ensure preventive measures and never let this happen," he said. Trains on the line were suspended for several hours, but services resumed later on Thursday, officials said. Fatal train accidents are rare in Japan, which has a reputation for safe and punctual transportation. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more South Korea and Japan stress stress 'critical' US alliance as Trump slashes military drills US backs Japanese sovereignty over disputed islands after Putin visit North Korea's Kim Yo Jong warns of military options over Japan’s move into 'war state' high speed train Police Train crash Emergency Japan