TOKYO (AP) — A massive snowy crash killed one person and injured 26 on an expressway in Japan late Friday as the country began the year-end holiday season.
Gunma Prefectural Traffic Police said on Saturday that the accident on the Kanetsu Expressway began when two trucks collided in the city of Minakami, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo.
According to police, a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died. Of the 26 injured, five are reported to be in serious condition.
As a result of the truck collision, sections of the expressway were blocked, and cars behind were unable to brake on the snowy surface. According to police, more than 50 vehicles were involved in the collision.
A fire broke out at the far end of the cluster and spread to more than a dozen vehicles, some of which were completely burned out. No one was injured in the fire, which was extinguished after about seven hours, police said.
A heavy snow warning came into effect late Friday as many Japanese began their New Year holidays.
A portion of the expressway remained closed for police investigation and debris removal and cleanup.
