A passenger train in Japan’s northern Hokkaido region derailed after colliding with a bear late on Friday night, leaving 32 passengers stranded for seven hours.
According to Kyodo News, no injuries were reported among the passengers or train crew following the incident.
The four-car Sarobetsu express train was travelling towards Wakkanai when the collision occurred at about 10.50pm local time between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations, according to railway operator JR Hokkaido.
Following the accident, JR Hokkaido cancelled all train services along the 130km route between Wakkanai and Otoineppu on Saturday.
Passengers were transported from the accident site by taxi after the train derailed.
JR Hokkaido said the number of train collisions involving bears has remained high, averaging around 40 cases annually over the past three years.
The recurring incidents have raised concerns for the railway operator as encounters between trains and bears continue to pose a safety challenge in the region.
