Hong Kong tourist dies after being hit by train while taking photos on tracks
A Hong Kong tourist tragically lost her life when she was hit by a train while attempting to take photographs on the railway tracks.
In a South China Morning Post report, the woman had been standing on railway tracks in Otaru City, Hokkaido, to take photos of the ocean when she failed to notice the incoming train.
After being hit, she was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead by doctors. According to Japanese media, the woman was 61 years old.
The incident is being investigated by the Immigration Department in cooperation with the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, as well as the Chinese Consulate in Sapporo.
They assured that they are also providing necessary help to the victim's family.
A similar incident recently took place in Taiwan when a Filipina tourist was struck by a train while she was taking photos near a railroad track in Pingxi District, New Taipei.
Local media reported that the 36-year-old woman was along Shifen Station when Taiwan Railway Train No. 4831 came and hit her outstretched arm. She fell backward and sustained injuries to her head, chest, and pelvis.
The paramedics on-site treated her and brought her to Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The injuries were said to be non-threatening.
The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) later issued a statement about the accident and cautioned Filipino tourists to follow safety protocols to avoid similar accidents.
MECO chairperson Cheloy Garafil assured that the tourist is now "out of danger" after receiving surgery on her spine, but that more procedures need to be done.
"May mga surgery at saka mga medications pa rin siya na gagawin pero itong spine surgery kasi pinaka-major niya na ginawa and ito ‘yung last na ginawa sa kanya and sabi naman sa’min according to the report she’s out of danger," she detailed in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.
The woman needs around two weeks to recuperate before she could return to the Philippines.
However, it is possible that she could be penalized for a suspected violation of Article 57 of the Railway Act, which states that pedestrians and vehicles "shall not intrude into/onto railway routes, bridges, and places inside tunnels and stations not intended for public use."
