How Did 32 Passengers Spend the Night After a Bear Derailed the Sarobetsu Express in Hokkaido?

Quick answer: Thirty-two passengers spent the night on board the limited express Sarobetsu No. 3 after it struck a bear and derailed on the JR Soya Line in Nakagawa, Hokkaido, at about 22:48 on 30 October 2026. No passengers or crew were injured. The line between Otoineppu and Wakkanai was suspended for all of 31 October, and 15 trains were also cancelled on 1 November.

Key facts

• Train: Limited express Sarobetsu No. 3, travelling from Asahikawa towards Wakkanai, in a four-car formation.
• Place: JR Soya Line, between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikanbetsu stations, in Nakagawa, Hokkaido.
• Time: About 22:48 on 30 October 2026.
• Passengers: 32 people were on board. None was injured, and no crew member was injured.
• Damage: The front wheel of the lead car derailed to the right of the direction of travel after the train struck a bear.
• Disruption: The Otoineppu to Wakkanai section was suspended all day on 31 October, with 15 trains cancelled and about 400 people affected. A further 15 trains were cancelled on 1 November, with about 400 people expected to be affected.
• Investigation: The Japan Transport Safety Board sent two railway accident investigators to the site.

What happened

The Sarobetsu No. 3 was running between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikanbetsu when the driver found a bear on the track. The driver applied the emergency brake, but the train could not stop in time and collided with the bear. The impact produced a large vertical jolt, and the bear became trapped under the vehicle.

The front wheel of the lead car then derailed to the right of the direction of travel. Passengers described the train shaking strongly, then stopping. One passenger said the driver apologised and explained that the train had hit a bear and that the wheel had derailed. The passengers remained calm, and the train stayed upright.

Why passengers stayed on board overnight

After the collision, a hunter was requested because a bear might still have been nearby. For safety, the 32 passengers were asked to remain in the train overnight rather than leave it in the dark.

At about 06:20 on 31 October, the hunter and JR staff inspected the train and confirmed that the front wheel had derailed. The passengers then travelled onwards by taxi. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

Disruption and replacement transport

The derailment closed the Soya Line between Otoineppu and Wakkanai for the whole of 31 October. Fifteen trains were cancelled that day, affecting about 400 people.

Services were also disrupted on 1 November. Fifteen trains were cancelled, with about 400 people expected to be affected. The limited express Soya ran only between Sapporo and Asahikawa, while the Sarobetsu was suspended throughout. Replacement buses ran between Asahikawa and Wakkanai and could be used with a JR ticket, although delays were possible depending on weather and road conditions.

Investigation and JR Hokkaido response

The Japan Transport Safety Board dispatched two railway accident investigators to examine the site. Their work was expected to establish the sequence of events in detail.

JR Hokkaido also had to recover the derailed lead car and check the track before services could resume safely. The incident underlined the risk posed by wildlife on rural lines, particularly at night, when a large animal on the track may leave a driver with very little time to stop.

Frequently asked questions

Were any passengers injured in the Soya Line bear derailment?

No. All 32 passengers were uninjured, and no crew member was injured.

Where and when did the derailment happen?

It happened on the JR Soya Line between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikanbetsu stations in Nakagawa, Hokkaido, at about 22:48 on 30 October 2026.

Why did passengers spend the night on the train?

A hunter was requested because a bear might have been nearby, so passengers stayed on board overnight for safety. They left by taxi after an inspection at about 06:20 on 31 October confirmed the derailment.

How many trains were cancelled?

Fifteen trains were cancelled on 31 October, affecting about 400 people, and a further 15 trains were cancelled on 1 November, with about 400 people expected to be affected.

Who is investigating the derailment?

The Japan Transport Safety Board sent two railway accident investigators to the site.

*Source: FNN Prime Online (Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting), 31 October 2026 — https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/1143641*