Microbus carrying Niigata students crashes on Banetsu Expressway; survivors allege dangerous driving
Twenty-one high school students on a school excursion were among those injured or killed in the incident on 11 May 2026, though official figures on fatalities remain unconfirmed.
A microbus transporting high school students from Niigata Prefecture has been involved in a serious accident on the Banetsu Expressway in Fukushima Prefecture. The incident occurred on 11 May 2026 while the group was travelling on a school excursion.
According to reports from NHK News Japan, the crash resulted in casualties involving twenty-one people, described collectively as injured and killed. However, current information does not provide a specific breakdown distinguishing the number of fatalities from those who sustained injuries.
Survivors of the crash have provided testimony to police regarding the conduct of the driver. Students on board have stated to investigators that the driver was operating the vehicle dangerously prior to the accident occurring.
It is important to note that these allegations of dangerous driving are based solely on student testimony reported through police interviews. An independent verification of the driver's actions or a final police determination of the cause of the accident has not yet been released.
The accident highlights ongoing concerns regarding transport safety during school excursions. While this specific event is distinct from previous incidents involving rental cars, it adds to the broader context of road safety risks facing student groups travelling on major highways.
As investigations continue, the precise nature of the "dangerous driving" alleged by the students remains undetailed beyond the general claim made during the initial police interviews.
