Police searched a Tobu Railway Co. group company Sunday on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death following an accident in which four workers were struck by an express train north of Tokyo.
The police suspect the group company, Tobu Kensetsu based in Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, failed to ensure the safety of the workers through poor coordination.
The four workers were on the tracks removing weeds when the accident occurred at around 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Shin-kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line.
At the time, 10 workers employed by several companies were engaged in the work, with seven clearing weeds and three acting as lookouts.
One of those who died was a site supervisor employed by
Tobu Kensetsu.
According to Tobu Railway, when working on railway tracks, a designated lookout is required to visually check for approaching trains and warn workers to move away.
After confirming that all workers have left the tracks, the lookout signals to the train driver with a flag. The driver is required to acknowledge the signal by sounding the horn.
