| Shigaraki train disaster | |
|---|---|
 SKR diesel car (right) crumpled up against the JR West diesel car. | |
| Details | |
| Date | May 14, 1991 10:35 |
| Location | Shigaraki, Shiga |
| Country | Japan |
| Line | SKR Shigaraki Line |
| Operator | JR West,SKR |
| Incident type | Collision |
| Cause | Signal passed at danger |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Passengers | 716 |
| Deaths | 42 |
| Injured | 614 |
TheShigaraki train disaster (信楽高原鐵道衝突事故,Shigaraki Kōgen Tetsudō shōtotsu jiko) was a railway accident that occurred inShigaraki (nowKoka),Shiga Prefecture,Japan on May 14, 1991. AShigaraki Kōgen Railway (SKR) train and aWest Japan Railway Company (JR West) traincollided head-on, killing 42 people and injuring 614 others. Until theAmagasaki derailment in 2005, this was the deadliest railway disaster in Japan since theYokohama rail crash of 1963, which killed 161 people.
The accident happened at 10:35 (1:35UTC) local time on May 14, 1991, on the SKR Shigaraki Line between Onotani Signal Station andShigarakigūshi.
A special JR West rapid service train (501D) fromKyoto bound forShigaraki had entered the Shigaraki Line atKibukawa Station from theKusatsu Line, transporting 716 passengers to the World Ceramic Festival that was being held inShigaraki at the time.
Going in the opposite direction, an SKR local train (534D) had left Shigaraki and headed forKibukawa, despite a red signal.
The Onotani Signal Station (小野谷信号場,Onotani Shingōjō) was the only point on the single-track line where two trains can safely pass, but the JR West train had already gone past that signal station, as it was given a green signal despite the approaching SKR train. The signal station has been deactivated since the disaster.
The primary causes of the accidents were SKR officials allowing the eastbound SKR train topass red signals and the failedinterlocking that allowed the westbound JR West train to advance past Onotani Signal Station. Both SKR and JR West had independently made unauthorized modification to the signal system, which led to the confusion that prompted the SKR staff to send a train against a red signal, and the faulty wiring that showed the JR West train a green signal, when the approaching SKR train should have turned the signal to red.
SKR suspended passenger service while theShiga Prefecture andMinistry of Transport conducted investigations, and service did not reopen until December 1991. When service resumed, the use of Onotani Signal Station as a passing point was discontinued. As a result, service frequency was reduced from twice an hour to once an hour, with operation in only one direction at any time.
In 1999, the two companies have had a complaint set against them for havingnegligence for the victims of the train disaster. In the same year, the two companies were put on trial in theŌtsu District Court. In 2002, in theOsaka High Court, theWest Japan Railway Company was found guilty of negligence. The West Japan Railway Company however did not appeal against the verdict of the High Court.
JR West discontinued through train operations to the Shigaraki Line, while otherJapan Railways Group companies similarly discontinued non-regular through train operations to private and Third Sector railway lines.
The World Ceramic Festival, which was to continue until May 26, was cancelled the day following the accident.
34°55′14″N136°05′16″E / 34.9206555556°N 136.087844444°E /34.9206555556; 136.087844444