Two dead in 50-vehicle pile up on Japan highway

Two people were killed and 26 others were injured in a pileup involving at least 50 vehicles on a highway in central Japan, according to police.

Local police said the incident was caused by a collision between two trucks, causing a chain reaction that set at least 10 vehicles on fire.

A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo was killed and another body was found in the driver’s seat of a burned-out truck. Police said that 5 people were seriously injured and 21 people were slightly injured in the incident.

A heavy snow warning was issued at the time of the accident. Police believe icy surfaces likely caused trucks to skid on the roads.

The accident occurred at around 19:30 local time on December 26 on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, Gunma prefecture, about 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo.

Police said it took about seven and a half hours to extinguish the fire.

Following the incident, a section of the highway was closed to traffic, while a long queue of vehicles formed, many of which were burnt beyond recognition and stuck in the going lane. Efforts are continuing to withdraw them.

A man in his 60s whose vehicle was involved in the crash told local media outlet NHK that he heard a loud explosion from the far end of the pile and saw fire at the time of the crash. It was stated that the fire later spread to other vehicles.

He said he was evacuated with about 50 other people to a nearby toll booth and spent the night in the corridor there.

Nexco, which operates the road, said it was necessary to check whether the surface was damaged by fire.

The company warns passengers not to use the highway.