Express train kills 4 workers carrying out weed-control work on tracks in Japan

Four workers carrying out weed-control work on a railway track in Japan were killed after they were struck by an express train as it entered Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo.The collision occurred around 10.46 am (local time) on Thursday while the workers were spraying herbicide on the railway track, according to Tobu Railway, which operates the line.Police are investigating whether proper safety procedures were followed at the time of the accident, railway officials said at a press conference.Train services on the Tobu Nikko Line were suspended following the incident.The four men, three workers and a supervisor, were taken to hospital after the collision but were later pronounced dead, police and train operator Tobu Railway Co.