Japan Highway Crash in Snow Kills One and Injures 26

A deadly Japan highway crash left one person dead and 26 injured late Friday in heavy snow. The pileup happened on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, about 160 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. Police said the crash began when two trucks collided on the snowy road. A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died at the scene.

The Japan highway crash struck as people started their year-end holiday travel. Roads were packed with cars, and warnings for heavy snow were in place. Police confirmed that more than 50 vehicles were damaged in the pileup.

Japan Highway Crash Sparks Massive Pileup in Snowstorm

According to AP News, the pileup began when the two trucks hit each other and blocked lanes on the expressway. Cars behind them could not stop on the slick road. Many slid into each other in seconds. Snow kept falling, and visibility was low. This made the chain reaction even worse.

Police said five of the 26 injured people were in serious condition. The impact forced several cars into tight clusters. Some vehicles caught fire at the far end of the crash. The flames spread to more than a dozen cars. Fire crews fought the blaze for seven hours before it was put out. No one was hurt in the fire itself.

Parts of the Kan-etsu Expressway stayed closed on Saturday. Crews worked to clear burned cars and broken metal from the snow-covered road. Police searched for more clues to understand how the crash expanded so fast. They said road ice and sudden braking likely played a major role.

How Snow and Holiday Travel Worsened the Disaster

The Japan highway crash showed how fast winter weather can turn deadly. Holiday travel pushed more cars onto the road. Drivers rushed to reach their destinations before New Year. Heavy snow warnings were active, but many people still traveled.

Experts say snowy expressways can become dangerous in minutes. Ice forms quickly, and drivers need more distance to brake. When one crash blocks a lane, others may not have time to slow down. This can lead to large pileups like the one in Minakami.

The crash also delayed travel plans for many families. Some drivers were stuck for hours as police cleared the area. Parts of the highway may remain closed until all debris is removed and conditions improve.

This Japan highway crash shows how winter travel can turn deadly fast. Police urged drivers to check conditions, slow down, and avoid risky travel during heavy snow. Safety remains the top concern as Japan enters the busiest holiday season of the year.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: What caused the Japan highway crash?

Police said it began with a collision between two trucks. Snow and slick roads made it hard for cars behind them to stop. This led to a chain reaction involving more than 50 vehicles.

Q2: How many people were injured?

Twenty-six people were hurt in the crash. Five of them were in serious condition, according to police.

Q3: Did any cars catch fire?

Yes. A fire broke out at the far end of the pileup. It burned more than a dozen vehicles. Fire crews extinguished it after seven hours.

Q4: Why did the crash spread so quickly?

The snowy road made braking very hard. Once the trucks blocked the lanes, other cars slid into them. Low visibility also made the pileup worse.

Q5: Is the expressway still closed?

Parts of the Kan-etsu Expressway stayed closed for cleanup and investigation. Police are still removing wreckage and checking road conditions.