4 workers dead after being hit by express train at station in Tochigi Prefecture

Four workers died on Thursday after being hit by an express train at a station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, police said.

The four men were on the tracks to remove weeds when the accident took place at around 10:45 a.m. at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line, according to the police and the train operator. No crew or passengers were injured.

Three of the workers were found trapped under the Spacia X express train while the fourth was found on the platform following the collision, the police said, adding that they were taken to a hospital.

The train bound for Asakusa in Tokyo was due to stop at Shin-Kanuma Station and was approaching the platform when the accident occurred, according to Tobu Railway Co.

A total of seven workers were engaged in weeding work, including the four who lost their lives, the police said.

© KYODO