Four railway workers doing weed control on a track in Japan died Thursday after being struck by an express train as it entered a station north of Tokyo, officials said.
The accident occurred at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line and involved the Tokyo-bound Spacia express train, according to the Tochigi prefectural police. The victims—three workers and an on-site supervisor—were rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead, police and operator Tobu Railway Co. confirmed.
Six other crew members assigned to spray herbicide, including three on lookout duty, were unharmed. None of the approximately 50 passengers on board the train were injured.
Lookouts are required to warn colleagues of approaching trains using flags, whistles, or microphones. Railway officials said it remains unclear why the workers did not leave the tracks, and they are cooperating with investigators.
Takao Suzuki, head of Tobu's railway business division, apologized for the fatal accident, promising strict preventive measures. Services resumed later Thursday after a suspension of several hours.