Gunma Prefecture, Japan At least two people were killed and 26 others injured late Friday in a huge multi-vehicle crash on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, police confirmed.
The chain-reaction collision, involving more than 50 vehicles, unfolded on the outbound lanes near the Minakami Interchange at around 7:30 p.m. local time amid heavy snowfall and icy road conditions. Snow-related slipperiness is believed to have contributed to the severity of the accident.
According to authorities, the incident began when a large truck collided with another truck that had stopped sideways on the slick roadway. That initial impact set off a rapid sequence of collisions as cars and trucks approaching from behind were unable to stop on the frozen surface, resulting in a pile-up stretching roughly 300 metres along the expressway.
At least 10 vehicles caught fire following the crash, and fire crews worked for more than seven hours to bring the blaze under control. Some cars were completely burned, and emergency services faced significant challenges due to the scale of the wreckage and continued wintry conditions.
Police identified one of the deceased as a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo, who was a passenger in a family vehicle at the time of the collision. The other fatality was later found in the driver’s seat of a burned-out truck.
Of the 26 people injured, five are in serious condition, while the remainder sustained more minor injuries, officials said.
Impact on Traffic and Response
The expressway was closed in both directions following the crash as authorities cleared wreckage and conducted safety inspections. East Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO East), which operates the route, warned motorists to avoid the area and advised ongoing inspections to determine whether the fire damaged the road surface.
Travelers had been advised to limit speeds to about 50 kilometres per hour due to heavy snow at the time of the accident. Despite the precaution, many vehicles reportedly lost control on the icy surface, underscoring the hazards of winter driving in the region.
One driver involved in the crash told local media that ice made steering extremely difficult and that he feared for his life as the pile-up unfolded. Other motorists described hearing explosions and seeing flames spreading quickly among vehicles.
The incident comes as Japan’s holiday travel season intensifies, with many heading out for the year-end and New Year period. Authorities are urging caution and reminding drivers to check weather and road conditions before traveling.
Originally written by-Tinshui Yeung
Link to the article –https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c157e9dddwwo
