Hopes fade in Japan crash rescue

Every inch of the track is being carefully examined

Hopes are fading that rescuers at the scene of the rail crash that killed at least 90 people in Japan will find any more survivors.

About 450 people were also injured when a train derailed and rammed into an apartment block near Osaka on Monday.

No survivors have been found since early on Tuesday, although rescuers are still looking for people who might still be trapped in the wreckage.

Investigators say the accident may have been caused by excessive speed.

A data recorder recovered at the crash site confirmed witness reports that the train was travelling too fast.

In pictures: Crash aftermath Survivors tell of chaos

The device recorded a speed of 100km/h (62mph) - well above the 70km/h limit for the curve where the accident occurred.

Stones on the rails have also been suggested as a possible factor in the crash.

There were 580 passengers on board the train when it derailed in Amagasaki, 410km (255 miles) west of Tokyo.

More than two days on, rescuers believe up to 20 people may still be trapped - although their condition is unknown.

Click here for crash map in more detail

"Unfortunately, time has passed but we're carrying on and have not given up," a fire department official told Reuters news agency.

Rescuers looking for survivors are using electromagnetic equipment to detect heart beats.

Missing driver

On Tuesday police searched the offices of West Japan Railway, the train operator involved, for possible evidence of negligence.

HAVE YOUR SAY In a country where late trains are a rarity, I was shocked to learn about this Jean-Yves, Osaka, Japan Send us your comments

Investigators said the driver, Ryujiro Takami, may have been trying to make up time after overrunning a station platform earlier.

West Japan Railway has confirmed that the train was running late.

It is unclear whether Mr Takami has survived the crash. He was only 23 and relatively inexperienced, the company said.

It also reported that he had previously been reprimanded twice in his previous job as a conductor, and once last year as a driver for a platform overrun.

JAPAN'S RAIL SAFETY RECORD 1963: Freight train crashes into derailed Tokyo commuter train, 161 killed April 1991 - 42 killed when two trains collide near Shigaraki March 2000 - Tokyo underground train crashes into derailed train, killing five April 2005 - Crash near Osaka kills at least 89

Monday's crash was the worst rail accident in Japan since a train collision killed 161 people near Tokyo in 1963.

It has prompted questions about Japan's railway system, which handles 60 million passenger journeys every day - and which has been regarded as one of the world's safest.

There have been two other rail accidents in Japan since the tragedy - although no serious injuries were reported in either.

On Tuesday, a train derailed after hitting a truck at a crossing north of Tokyo.

And on Wednesday, another passenger train collided with a car at a rail crossing south of the capital.

JAPAN RAIL CRASH

1: Crash happened at 0020GMT at end of morning rush-hour

2: Seven-carriage train had 580 people aboard

3: Four of the carriages derailed (one not visible)

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