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On January 1, a tragic accident claimed the lives of two young Chinese women in Tarumizu District, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. at a level crossing along the Sanyo Electric Railway line.
According to reports from Japan’s Yomiuri TV and MBS News, the two women, believed to be in their 20s, were standing within the fenced area of the level crossing, near the tracks. Witnesses said they were positioned side by side, facing the southern zebra crossing. Unfortunately, the train driver could not see them due to obstacles such as telephone poles.
Authorities believe the two women, unfamiliar with the environment, may have mistakenly thought that standing inside the railway tracks was a safe spot to wait for the traffic light. This misunderstanding tragically led to their being struck by a train traveling from Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya to Sanyo Himeji. The train consisted of three carriages.
One woman was killed instantly, while the other succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to the hospital. At the scene, police found two Chinese passports, initially confirming that the victims were likely Chinese tourists. Further investigation is underway to verify their identities and travel details.
The accident has raised concerns about safety measures and awareness at railway crossings in Japan, particularly for foreign visitors who may not be familiar with local infrastructure. Many netizens have expressed sadness over the incident, with some urging for clearer signage and multilingual safety instructions at crossings.
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