TOKYO: Four people were unconscious in Japan on Thursday (Aug 20) after being hit by a train, authorities said, with one media report saying they were "without vital signs".

The incident involving four workers took place at Shin-Kanuma Station north of Tokyo, the fire department said.

"When emergency services arrived, three workers were still trapped under the train, while one was on the platform," a fire department spokesman told AFP.

"Before being taken to hospital, all four of them were unconscious," he added.

Japanese railways have one of the best safety records in the world.