Disasters & Incidents
Japan train kills four workers at Shin-Kanuma Station
A train hit and killed four workers at Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma city, north of Tokyo, on Thursday, Japanese authorities said.
A fire department official said the four were confirmed dead. Another official said three workers were trapped under the train when emergency services arrived, while one was on the platform.
Local media reported that the workers were removing weeds from the tracks when the express train struck them. Jiji Press reported that the workers were men in their 50s and 60s and were part of a seven-person crew.
None of the roughly 50 passengers on the train was injured.
Media reports identified the train as the six-car Spacia X express on the Tobu Nikko Line, which connects Greater Tokyo with the tourist destination of Nikko in the Tochigi region. NHK, citing the operator, said the Tokyo-bound train was approaching its stop at Shin-Kanuma when the accident occurred.
A 40-year-old passenger quoted by NHK said he heard a loud rumbling noise before the train made an emergency stop so sudden that it was impossible to stand.
Japan's railways have one of the world's strongest safety records. Fatal accidents involving malfunctioning trains are described as extremely rare because of maintenance, training and advanced technology. There has never been a passenger fatality from a derailment or collision on Japan's shinkansen bullet train network since it entered service in 1964.
Update
Local media reported that the workers were removing weeds from the tracks when the express train hit them.
Jiji Press reported that the four workers were men in their 50s and 60s.
None of the roughly 50 passengers on the train was injured.
Local media reported that the workers were part of a seven-person crew.
Media reports identified the train as the six-car Spacia X express on the Tobu Nikko Line.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 07:45:11 UTC.
Update
Kyodo News reported that the train was the Spacia X express on the Tobu Nikko Line.
A passenger quoted by NHK described a loud rumbling noise and sudden emergency braking.
The Tobu Nikko Line connects Greater Tokyo with Nikko.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 06:12:46 UTC.
Update
Emergency services were first called at 10:47 am, or 0147 GMT.
The item adds context that fatal railway accidents are extremely rare in Japan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 05:03:54 UTC.
Update
The fire department confirmed that all four workers died after being hit by the train.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 04:49:22 UTC.
Update
Emergency services were first called at 10:47 a.m. local time.
Nippon TV reported that the workers were removing weeds from around the track.
Nippon TV reported that all four workers were without vital signs.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 04:40:21 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The circumstances that led to the train hitting the workers have not been established.
Source
AFP news report published on .