Four railway workers struck and killed by train near Tokyo

Four railway workers have been killed after being struck by a train at Shin-Kanuma Station, located north of Tokyo, in what officials are treating as a serious workplace accident. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns at Japanese railway facilities, where workers frequently operate in close proximity to active rail lines.

The workers were conducting duties at the station when the train struck them, according to preliminary reports from local authorities. Emergency services responded to the scene, but the casualties were pronounced dead at the location. The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed pending notification of next of kin.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have commenced, with railway operators and safety inspectors examining whether proper safety protocols and warning systems were in place. The incident has prompted a review of working procedures at the station.

Railway accidents involving workers, though relatively uncommon in Japan, have occasionally occurred despite strict safety regulations that govern railway operations across the country. The incident is expected to trigger further scrutiny of worker safety measures across Japan's extensive rail network.