On 30 October 2026 at about 22:48, JR Hokkaido’s Sarobetsu No. 3 limited express (four-car KiHa 261 series) struck a bear on the Soya Line between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations, roughly 169.8 km from Asahikawa. The collision caused the first axle of the front bogie on the lead car to come off the rails to the right and left 32 passengers stranded; hunters and JR Hokkaido staff reached the train about 06:20 on 31 October to inspect the train. JR Hokkaido reported no injuries among passengers or crew and said details were under investigation with no estimate yet for restoring service.
The incident produced extensive service disruption: 15 trains were canceled and about 400 people affected on 31 October (a figure that also reflected rain-related cancellations), with the same pattern planned for 1 November including substitute buses between Asahikawa and Wakkanai. All four Sarobetsu limited express services were called off; the Sapporo–Wakkanai Soya limited express was canceled between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in both directions while still running between Sapporo and Asahikawa; local trains between Otoineppu and Wakkanai were suspended for the whole day; and some local trains between Nayoro and Otoineppu did not run. JR Hokkaido said sections where bears have recently been seen require hunters or special equipment before staff can go onto the track, a practice that can cause long delays. The Soya Line recorded 29 bear events in fiscal 2025 and JR Hokkaido reported 76 bear events across its network in fiscal 2025, including 57 collisions, both described by the company as record highs.
Lead
On 30 October 2026 at about 22:48, JR Hokkaido’s Sarobetsu No. 3 limited express struck a bear on the Soya Line between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations, approximately 169.8 km from Asahikawa. The four-car KiHa 261 series train had departed Asahikawa at 20:06 for Wakkanai and was carrying 32 passengers. JR Hokkaido reported no injuries to passengers or crew; hunters and JR Hokkaido staff reached and inspected the train about 06:20 on 31 October. The company said the situation remained under investigation and it had no estimate for restoring normal service at the time of its notice.
Verified facts
- Date and time of collision: about 22:48 on 30 October 2026.
- Location: between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikambetsu stations on the Soya Line, roughly 169.8 km from Asahikawa.
- Train: Sarobetsu No. 3 limited express, four-car KiHa 261 series, departed Asahikawa at 20:06 for Wakkanai.
- People on board: 32 passengers.
- Damage and immediate cause: the crew saw a bear inside the track area, applied emergency brakes but struck the animal; a strong vertical jolt was felt on board; inspectors found the first axle of the front bogie on the lead car had come off the rails to the right in the direction of travel.
- Casualties: No passengers or crew injured (JR Hokkaido said).
- Inspection: hunters and JR Hokkaido staff reached the train at about 06:20 on 31 October to inspect the train.
- Service impact (reported by JR Hokkaido): 15 trains canceled and about 400 people affected on 31 October (the total includes cancellations caused by rain); all four Sarobetsu limited express services were canceled; the Sapporo–Wakkanai Soya limited express was canceled between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in both directions while still running between Sapporo and Asahikawa; local trains between Otoineppu and Wakkanai were suspended for the whole day; some local trains between Nayoro and Otoineppu did not run. JR Hokkaido said the same pattern would apply on 1 November, with 15 canceled trains, about 400 people affected, and substitute buses running between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.
- Wider context (JR Hokkaido data): the Soya Line recorded 29 bear-related events in fiscal 2025 (April 2025–March 2026). Across the JR Hokkaido network, the company reported 76 bear events in fiscal 2025, including 57 collisions, and described both figures as the highest on record. Deer collisions in fiscal 2025 reached 3,478 (JR Hokkaido report).
Organizations and responsibilities
- JR Hokkaido: reported the incident, provided the timetable and train details, conducted the post-incident notice, organized staff to reach and inspect the train, and announced service cancellations, substitute buses, and that the matter was under investigation. The company published the fiscal 2025 figures for bear events and deer collisions.
- Hunters: reached the train with JR Hokkaido staff to inspect the train at about 06:20 on 31 October, consistent with JR Hokkaido’s practice in sections where bears have recently been seen.
- Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB): referenced in relation to a separate derailment on the same station pair on 8 April 2025; the JTSB issued an interim report and stated in March 2026 that its investigation would take more than a year.
Operational and commercial context
- Reported operational impact: JR Hokkaido directly linked the collision to extensive cancellations and suspensions on 31 October and announced similar measures for 1 November, including substitute buses between Asahikawa and Wakkanai. The company said sections where bears have recently been seen require hunters or special equipment before staff can go onto the track, a procedure the company said can cause long delays and cancellations.
- Reported safety trend: JR Hokkaido said the Soya Line has logged more bear-related events than any other JR Hokkaido line every fiscal year since 2020; in fiscal 2025 the line recorded 29 bear events. The company reported 76 bear events across its network in fiscal 2025, 57 of them collisions, and called both figures the highest on record; deer collisions reached a record 3,478 in fiscal 2025. These figures are those published by JR Hokkaido in May 2026, as reported in the source.
- Historical note: the same station pair experienced a derailment on 8 April 2025 when a one-car local train from Otoineppu to Wakkanai came off the rails; the JTSB interim report said two collapsed sections of embankment were found near the site, and no passengers were aboard at the time. The JTSB said in March 2026 that its investigation would take more than a year.
Sources
https://www.railway.supply/jr-hokkaido-express-derails-after-bear-strike-on-line-with-most-bear-incidents/
Source organization: Railway Supply
Disclosure
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