Overview
- The Montoro court has reoriented the probe into alleged involuntary homicide and negligent injuries after the January 18 accident that killed 46 people and injured about 120.
- Judicial sources say investigators are examining the accident sequence in which an Iryo train derailed and was then hit by an Alvia, a collision that preceded the Alvia leaving the track and falling into a ravine.
- The inquiry is probing whether failures in railway infrastructure maintenance or renewal work helped cause the initial derailment and the subsequent crash.
- The court clerk ordered the appointed experts to submit a revised budget within five days that removes their prior request for an advance provision of fees and expenses, signaling tighter case management of forensic work.
- Victims’ association leaders report they have not yet received formal notice of the new criminal framing, and the inquiry could lead to criminal charges for individuals or companies if evidence shows negligent conduct.