Japan: A severe chain-reaction crash involving more than 50 vehicles claimed one life and left at least 26 people injured on a major expressway in Japan, as heavy snowfall coincided with the start of the country’s year-end travel rush.
The accident occurred late Friday on the Kan-Etsu Expressway in Gunma Prefecture, around 160 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. According to highway authorities, the incident began when two large trucks collided near the town of Minakami, obstructing traffic on the snow-covered roadway.
With visibility reduced and braking conditions poor, several vehicles approaching from behind were unable to stop in time, leading to a massive pile-up. Emergency officials confirmed that a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo lost her life in the crash. Among the injured, five were reported to be in critical condition, while others were treated for varying degrees of injuries.
Compounding the chaos, a fire broke out near one end of the collision site, engulfing over a dozen vehicles. Some cars were completely destroyed by the flames, though authorities said no additional injuries were caused by the fire. Firefighters worked for nearly seven hours to bring the blaze under control.
The incident occurred as weather agencies had issued alerts for heavy snowfall, with many residents beginning holiday travel ahead of the New Year. Large sections of the expressway were shut down following the crash to allow for rescue operations, investigation, and the removal of damaged vehicles and debris.
Officials have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution during winter travel and to stay updated on weather advisories, as snow and ice continue to pose serious risks on highways across the region.
