Hyogo police said Friday they will hand over to prosecutors early next week their case against 10 West Japan Railway Co. officials in connection with a 2005 train crash in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, that claimed 107 lives, including the driver.
In a rare step, Hyogo Prefectural Police officials said Friday the next of kin of the dead passengers were notified of their plan to press charges against 10 JR West employees for professional negligence resulting in death, including the late driver, Ryujiro Takami, 23. The police said their move was in consideration for the sentiments of the families.
On the morning of April 25, 2005, a rapid-service commuter train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line, taking a tight curve too fast, jumped the tracks and plowed into a condominium high-rise between Tsukaguchi and Amagasaki stations.