10 hurt in train derailment in Japan

TOKYO - Ten people were hurt after a commuter train from Tokyo ran into a pile of mud that covered the tracks after heavy rain in Kanagawa midnight Monday, local media said Tuesday.

The three front cars of the eight-carriage train were derailed on the Keikyu main line. The police said nine passengers sustained minor to serious injuries, Kyodo reported.

The 24-year-old driver of the train with around 700 passengers on board also sustained minor injuries, the report said.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, around 100 millimeters of rain was recorded in one hour to 11:00 pm Monday in the Yokosuka area, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is part of the Tokyo Greater Area. A local weather observatory had issued heavy rain, flood and landslide warnings.

Keikyu Corp. suspended operations on part of its lines on Tuesday.

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has sent investigators to the site, where the police are also inspecting for details of the accident.