S/ Suzuki Takao, Tobu Railway / We have caused tremendous inconvenience and concern to everyone involved. We are truly sorry. We offer our deepest apologies.

According to police and other authorities, four male workers were struck by the Spacia X limited express train near Shin-kanuma Station in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, shortly before 11 a.m. on August 20.

The train was traveling from Tobu Nikko to Asakusa on the Tobu Nikko Line.

The four men, two in their 50s and two in their 60s, were taken to hospital, where their deaths were confirmed.

There were no injuries among the roughly 50 passengers and crew members on the train.

Service on part of the Tobu Nikko Line was suspended, affecting about 2,600 people.

Starting around 5 p.m., the Japan Transport Safety Board conducted an on-site investigation for about an hour and a half.

Tobu Railway officials said nine people, including safety lookouts, were involved in work to remove weeds from the tracks.

In addition, a man from the primary contractor had come to inspect the work area.

Three workers and the man from the contractor were caught in the accident.
 
At the time of the accident, a train lookout positioned about 80 meters from the site gave a signal indicating the train could proceed, and the driver continued into the area.

Normally, a relay lookout is positioned about 300 meters from the work site, but that person reportedly said he was unable to communicate with the train lookout.

Tobu Railway says it is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident and will cooperate with the police investigation.

Police are examining the details of the incident, including the possibility of pursuing the case on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.

On August 21, the Japan Transport Safety Board conducted an investigation of the train involved in the accident.

The train has been moved to a rail depot in Saitama Prefecture, where board investigators interviewed those involved and inspected the train.

They plan to seek information from Tobu Railway as they work on determining what caused the accident.