There should be no repeat of an accident in which those working for safer railway operation lost their lives after being struck by a train.

Four workers were killed when a limited express train entered a Tobu Railway Co. station and struck them as they were spraying weed killers on the tracks.

Tobu Railway rules call for placing lookouts during work on or near the tracks and having them alert workers when a train approaches.

Doubts have been raised about a lack of proper communication between a lookout standing far from the station and the lookout nearer to where the accident occurred.

An investigation by police, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) and Tobu Railway will seek to determine the cause.

In past accidents of a similar nature, it was learned that company........

© The Asahi Shimbun