It has been 17 years since the derailment of the JR Fukuchiyama Line, which killed 107 people, in 25 days.
The memorial service, which had been canceled due to the influence of the new Corona, was held for the first time in three years, and the bereaved families prayed to the victims.
17 years ago, on April 25, 2005, in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, a rapid train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line, commonly known as the Takarazuka Line, derailed without being able to turn the curve and collided with an apartment along the railroad track, killing 107 people. , 562 people were injured.
At the memorial facility "Inori no Mori" set up at the site, a memorial service was held for the first time in three years, which had been canceled due to the influence of the new corona.
The ceremony was attended by 244 people, including bereaved families, injured people, and people from JR West, who first offered a silent prayer.
After that, President Kazuaki Hasegawa of JR West gave apologetic and memorial words.
In this, President Hasegawa said, "Everyone, we are very sorry that we took away the important life of each person in an instant. No matter how much time passes or how many generations change, we We will not weather this accident. We will continue to inherit the heavy reflections and lessons learned from the accident, and with a strong sense of mission, we will steadily proceed with efforts to improve safety step by step. "
After that, attendees such as the bereaved family donated flowers to the memorial monument in order.
"Inori no Mori" means that we accept flowers from the general public between 5 pm and 8 pm.
Bereaved family "I don't want you to create a human being called'bereaved family'again."
Mitsuko Fujisaki (82), who lost her eldest daughter who was 40 years old at the time in the derailment accident, visited the accident site and said, "I want to say to my daughter,'JR West has become a little safer.' I feel like I haven't changed. Every time I come here, I feel that my daughter has been killed and I've been lost for 17 years. What I and my daughter want is a "bereaved family" like me again. I don't want you to create humans. All you need from JR West is safety, that's all. "
And she said, "I think the existence of the accident site is very important to pass on the accident to the next generation and the next era. I hope that children visiting on excursions and school trips will also see the accident vehicle. I want you to think about the method of exhibition. "
Victim Ryosuke Yamashita "17 years in a blink of an eye"
17 years ago, Ryosuke Yamashita (35), who was in the lead vehicle and suffered a serious injury to his leg, said, "At the memorial service, I donated flowers with my parents and I was fine in front of the deceased. Looking back, it was 17 years in a blink of an eye. I spend one day cherishing and cherishing one day because of the accident. Please support me while I am in the hospital. I am grateful to the nurses, doctors, and parents for their devoted care. Now I want to continue working to help someone. "
A rapid train passes through the site at about the same time as the accident
At the scene, a rapid train passed at a slower speed at about the same time as 9:18 am when the derailment accident occurred.
On the road along the railroad track, people concerned and neighbors stopped and offered a silent prayer.
A vocational school student from Osaka City who wants to get a job at JR said, "I don't know much about that time, but I came here to pray for those who died. Such an accident happened again. I don't think it should be done. "
Passengers pray on the train
Inside the train that passed the site at about the same time as the derailment accident at 9:18 am, before approaching the accident site, "Today is 17 years since the Fukuchiyama Line train accident. We pray for the souls of our customers and deeply apologize to the bereaved families, injured people and their families. We will do our best to help you do this. "
Then, as the train approached the site, the speed was slowed down, and a man holding a flower was seen quietly holding hands and praying.
A man who visited from Chiba prefecture for a memorial service said, "People who should have been living their daily lives and happy days were killed in an accident or forced to change their lives due to serious injuries. When I think about it, I'm wondering why I couldn't go through the curve at a slow speed. The driver may be the most responsible, but when I recall the background of the accident, it's also big for JR West. I can't help but feel a part of my responsibility. "
At the time of the accident, the JR president and others will remain silent on the spot
At 9:18 am when the accident occurred, JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa and other officers bowed deeply toward the condominium where the train collided and offered a silent prayer.
JR West is expected to have a huge deficit for the second consecutive year due to the influence of the corona disaster, and the severe business condition continues. The issue is how to proceed.
The sound of a bell in front of JR Itami Station to commemorate the victims for the first time in 3 years
In front of JR Itami Station in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, the sound of a bell in memory of the victims of the accident echoed for the first time in three years.
The carillon in the square in front of JR Itami Station is a type of keyboard instrument that plays 43 large and small bells using the keyboard and pedals like a piano. Every year, the bells are ringed to commemorate the victims. I've done it.
Kazuyo Masuda (52) of Itami City, who was seriously injured in the accident, was held for the first time in three years because the infection situation was relatively calm, although it had been canceled due to the spread of the new corona infection. ) And other 15 citizens and city officials gathered.
Then, at 9:18 am when the accident occurred, the bell was rang 18 times, the same as the number of citizens of Itami City who died in the accident, and the gathered people turned to the accident site and offered a silent prayer. I did.
Toshiro Ideguchi, director of the Itami City Crisis Management Office, said, "The memorial event has shrunk due to the Corona disaster, but we must not forget the accident. I want to work together to create a city. "