2 dead, many injured after more than 60 vehicles collide, catch fire in massive pile up in Japan

New Delhi: A major road accident occurred in Japan late Friday night, December 26, due to cold weather. According to police, low visibility caused by fog led to a collision between two trucks, resulting in a blockage on a section of the expressway. Vehicles approaching from behind were unable to apply brakes in time on the slippery road, resulting in a massive pileup involving more than 50 vehicles.

Multiple Collision

According to nippon.com, the multiple collision accident took place on the Kan-Etsu Expressway in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, in which two people were killed, and 26 were injured. This accident involved 67 vehicles. It occurred at around 7:30 p.m., near the expressway’s Minakami Interchange in the town of Minakami, Gunma.

2 Dead, Several Injured

A 77-year-old woman, identified as Miyuki Wakita 77, from Chofu, Tokyo, was killed. She was in the back seat of a car driven by a family member, the unit said. One more person was found dead in the driver’s seat of a truck on Saturday, 27 December 2025, morning. The accident occurred on the Kan-Etsu Expressway in Minakami town, Gunma Prefecture.

Five Of The Injured In Serious Condition

Police said five of the injured are in serious condition. A fire broke out in one of the vehicles after the accident, which quickly spread to many other vehicles. As a result, several vehicles were completely destroyed by the fire.

Seven Hours To Extinguish Flames

It took firefighters approximately seven hours to put out the fire. Sections of the expressway remain closed due to police investigations, debris removal, and road cleaning. A heavy snowfall warning had been issued for the area late Friday night, but people were still traveling due to the holidays.