Train Collision, Derailment Leads to Partial Suspension on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, Oimachi Line; Length of Suspension Remains Unclear (UPDATE 1)



The Yomiuri Shimbun
Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line trains involved in the accident at 0:38 a.m. on Monday in Kawasaki.

A train collision and derailment occurred between two trains at Kajigaya Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, around 11:05 p.m. on Sunday. Due to this accident, service has been suspended between Saginuma and Shibuya Stations from the first train on Monday. Service is also suspended between Mizonokuchi and Futako-Tamagawa Stations on the parallel Tokyu Oimachi Line.

It is expected that it will take some time before train operations resume.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line trains involved in the collision, photographed from a Yomiuri helicopter at 9:05 a.m. on Monday in Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki

According to Tokyu Railways and other sources, a 10-car train bound for Shibuya station from Chuo-Rinkan station collided with a 10-car train that was out of service and parked on a detention track at Kajigaya Station. The rear car of the out-of-service train derailed.

None of the 151 passengers and employees on the train were injured.

Immediately before the accident, the out-of-service train had been moving toward the detention track. It stopped short of its designated stopping position, with part of the train protruding beyond the detention track.

The driver of the Shibuya-bound train noticed this and applied the emergency brakes, but it was too late. Normally, the train’s Automatic Train Control (ATC) system should have activated and stopped the train before the collision. It is possible that the ATC system failed to operate properly for some reason.

The national Transportation Safety Board dispatched railway accident investigators to the scene on Monday.