Yokohama subway train's passengers walked to the nearest station. (Image via Japan Times)

Yokohama Subway Train Derails; No Injuries

YOKOHAMA – On early Thursday morning, June 6, a subway train in Yokohoma depart as they always do. However, on that morning, the train ran off the tracks shortly after departure. Luckily, according to its operator, there was no injury among around 130 passengers.

The first train on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line has just left Shimoiida Station for Azamino Station. However, the first five of the six cars derailed at around 5:25 a.m. The train reported had been running over a temporary turnout and left on top of the tracks. The train driver immediately hit the emergency break, after feeling something’s wrong with the train. The emergency break causes the train to stop around 40 meters away. The incident yesterday was the first one after 1972, when the same incident happened.

Right after the incident, the passengers were immediately evacuated through the emergency exit in the last carriage. From the emergency exit, they walked to Shimoiida Station. Due to the accident, Blue Line services were temporarily suspended. Knowing the line is suspended, the commuters rushed to a nearby station on the Sotetsu Line.

During the temporary suspend, maintenance was done for the main track. On Thursday night, the staff gave the all-clear sign. The head of Yokohama city’s transportation bureau, Hirotoshi Shiro, apologized about the incident and said they will try to prevent a recurrence.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/yokohama-subway-train-derails-no-injuries