A catastrophic chain-reaction collision involving 56 vehicles on Japan’s Kan-etsu Expressway has resulted in one confirmed fatality and multiple injuries, with authorities continuing investigation and recovery operations. The massive pileup occurred during hazardous winter conditions in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, at approximately 7:30 PM local time on December 26th.
According to law enforcement officials, the initial collision between two commercial trucks triggered a devastating domino effect that rapidly engulfed multiple vehicles in flames. The ensuing fire proved particularly challenging for emergency responders, requiring approximately seven and a half hours to fully extinguish.
Tragically, a 77-year-old Tokyo woman lost her life in the incident, while another victim was discovered in the driver’s seat of a completely burned-out truck. The human toll included five individuals sustaining serious injuries and twenty-one others receiving treatment for minor wounds, according to official police statements.
Meteorological conditions played a significant role in the disaster, with active heavy snow warnings in effect at the time of the accident. Preliminary investigation points to icy road surfaces as the likely cause for the initial loss of vehicle control that precipitated the massive collision.
The aftermath presented a scene of extensive devastation, with numerous vehicles charred beyond recognition and strewn across the outbound lanes. Recovery crews worked methodically to clear the wreckage while the expressway operator, Nexco, implemented full closure of the affected section. The company has issued travel advisories urging motorists to avoid the highway entirely until further notice.
Eyewitness accounts described terrifying moments during the incident. One male survivor in his sixties recounted hearing a substantial explosion from the forward section of the pileup before observing flames rapidly spreading between vehicles. Approximately fifty people were evacuated to a nearby toll gate facility, where many spent the night in hallway accommodations as emergency response continued.
Nexco engineers have initiated comprehensive infrastructure assessments to determine potential damage to road surfaces caused by the intense and prolonged fire. The complete investigation into the precise sequence of events and contributing factors remains ongoing.