Story perspectives

Tobu Express Kills Four Workers, Triggers Safety Review

8/22/2026

Summary

Tobu Railway Collision

A Tobu Railway express train struck four railway workers at Shin-Kanuma Station, killing them at about 10:45 am Thursday.
The four victims were men in their 50s-60s from a seven-person weed-control team.
Approximately 50 passengers aboard the six-car Spacia X2 express sustained no injuries.
Service on the Tobu Nikko Line was suspended between Shin-Tochigi and Shimo-Imaichi, resuming at 3:22 pm.
Rail division head Takao Suzuki apologized and announced a safety review.

Summary

Tobu Train Crash

Police confirmed the deaths and opened an investigation into possible safety violations.
Tobu Railway officials said they could not verify that the designated lookout signaled the train.
The driver sounded the horn after seeing the workers’ flag, following standard operating procedure.
The six-car limited-express Spacia X2 bound for Asakusa collided with workers near Shin-Kanuma station shortly after 10:30 a.m.

History

Historical Context

On April 25 2005 a JR West commuter train derailed in Amagasaki, Hyogo, killing 107 passengers and injuring over 560. The disaster became Japan’s deadliest rail accident since the 1963 Tsurumi crash that claimed 161 lives, surpassing the 1991 Shigaraki collision involving the Shigaraki Kogen Railway, which killed 42. These tragedies spurred nationwide safety reviews.

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Tobu Railway Collision

A Tobu Railway express train struck four railway workers at Shin-Kanuma Station, killing them at about 10:45 am Thursday.
The four victims were men in their 50s-60s from a seven-person weed-control team.
Approximately 50 passengers aboard the six-car Spacia X2 express sustained no injuries.
Service on the Tobu Nikko Line was suspended between Shin-Tochigi and Shimo-Imaichi, resuming at 3:22 pm.
Rail division head Takao Suzuki apologized and announced a safety review.

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