Japan Highway Crash in Snow Kills One and Injures 26

A deadly highway crash in Japan left one person dead and 26 others injured late Friday amid heavy snowfall. The incident occurred on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, roughly 160 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, as winter weather and year-end travel created hazardous conditions. According to police, the pileup began when two trucks collided on the snow-covered road, setting off a chain reaction. A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died at the scene.

Authorities confirmed that more than 50 vehicles were damaged in the pileup. The crash struck during peak holiday travel, when roads were crowded and heavy snow warnings had been issued. The initial truck collision blocked multiple lanes, leaving drivers behind unable to stop on the slick surface. Low visibility and ongoing snowfall worsened the situation, causing dozens of cars to slide into one another in rapid succession.

Five of the 26 injured were reported to be in serious condition. The force of the collisions pushed vehicles into tight clusters, and some cars caught fire at the far end of the crash site. Firefighters worked for seven hours to extinguish the blaze, which spread to more than a dozen vehicles, though fortunately no one was injured in the fire itself.

Parts of the Kan-etsu Expressway remained closed on Saturday as crews cleared the wreckage, burned vehicles, and debris from the snow-covered road. Police said road ice and sudden braking likely contributed to the rapid escalation of the accident, and investigations continue to understand the full sequence of events.

Experts note that snowy expressways can become treacherous within minutes, particularly during periods of heavy traffic. Holiday travelers rushing to reach destinations before the New Year often face increased risk, as icy surfaces require longer braking distances. When a crash blocks a lane under such conditions, other vehicles may be unable to stop in time, triggering large-scale pileups like the one in Minakami.

The Kan-etsu Expressway accident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly winter weather can turn deadly, highlighting the importance of caution, speed reduction, and adherence to snow warnings during holiday travel.