A pile-up involving at least 50 vehicles on a highway in central Japan has left two people dead and 26 injured, according to police. The incident was caused by a crash between two trucks, sparking a chain reaction that set at least 10 vehicles on fire, local police said. A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo was killed, and another body was discovered in the driver's seat of a burnt-out truck. Five people were seriously injured and 21 suffered minor injuries, police said. There was a heavy snow warning in place at the time of the crash. Police believe icy surfaces likely caused the trucks to skid on the roads. The crash happened on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, Gunma prefecture, about 160km (100 miles) north-west of Tokyo, at about 19:30 local time (10:30 GMT) on 26 December. It took about seven and a half hours to put out the fire, police said. Following the incident, a section of the highway was closed, with a long line of vehicles, many charred beyond recognition, stuck in the outbound lane. Work is under way to tow them away. Nexco, which operates the road, said checks were needed to see if the surface was damaged by the fire. The company is warning travelers not to use the highway.
Tragic Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up on Japan Highway Results in Two Fatalities
Tragic Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up on Japan Highway Results in Two Fatalities
A severe traffic accident involving over 50 vehicles on a central Japan highway led to two deaths and 26 injuries as icy conditions caused chaos on the roads.
A horrifying accident on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, Japan, has resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries after a pile-up of at least 50 vehicles. Heavy snow and icy road conditions were reported at the time of the crash, which involved a collision between two trucks that ignited several vehicles. Emergency responders worked for hours to manage the scene while travelers faced significant delays and road closures.
