Services on the Akita Nairiku Line resumed on December 18 for the 61.2-kilometer section between Aniai and Kakunodate stations, four days after a train derailed and fell off the tracks in Kitaakita, Akita Prefecture. The incident occurred when the train collided with a tree that had fallen onto the tracks. A local passenger welcomed the resumption as vital transportation for the community.
The Akita Nairiku Line services had been suspended following the accident on Friday, December 14, in Kitaakita, Akita Prefecture, where a train collided with a tree fallen on the tracks and derailed, falling 6 to 8 meters off a bridge. Operator Akita Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo confirmed that, upon resumption, trains will briefly stop just before the accident site bridge and proceed through the section at reduced speed to ensure safety.
A 62-year-old male passenger commented, “I often use the service on my way to and back from hospital. I’m grateful that the services resumed because they are an important means of transportation for the local community.”
The line serves as a crucial link for residents in the rural area. While investigations into the incident continue, the quick restoration highlights efforts to minimize disruptions in local transport. Akita Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo plans to conduct thorough safety checks before returning to normal operations.
