A massive crash on a highway in Japan kills 1 person and injures 26 as the holiday season starts

TOKYO (AP) — One person died and 26 people were injured in a major accident that occurred on the highway in snowy weather. Japan late Friday as the country kicks off its year-end holiday season.

Gunma prefecture highway police said Saturday that the pile-up on the Kan-etsu Expressway began when two trucks collided in the town of Minakami, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo.

A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died, police said. It was stated that 5 of the 26 injured people were in serious condition.

The impact of the trucks blocked some parts of the highway, and the cars following were unable to brake on the snowy ground. Police said more than 50 vehicles were involved in the crash.

The fire broke out at the far end of the pile and spread to more than a dozen vehicles, some of which were completely destroyed. Police said no one was injured in the fire, which was extinguished after about 7 hours.

The heavy snowfall warning went into effect late Friday, when many Japanese began their end-of-year and New Year holidays.

Parts of the highway remained closed for police to investigate and to remove and clean debris.