Tragic accident: over 50 vehicles collide on expressway, several burn down, 1 dead and 26 injured

Tokyo (The Uttam Hindu): A major road accident occurred late Friday night on an expressway in Japan amid icy weather conditions. After a collision between two trucks, more than 50 vehicles crashed into each other on the expressway. The accident claimed the life of one person and left 26 others injured.

According to police, the incident took place near the town of Minakami on the Kan-Etsu Expressway. Minakami is located about 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo. The initial collision between two trucks led to a chain reaction, causing nearly 50 vehicles to pile up on the icy road.

Police said that a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo lost her life in the accident. Out of the 26 injured, the condition of five people is reported to be critical. Authorities explained that the truck collision blocked a section of the expressway, and vehicles approaching from behind were unable to brake in time due to the slippery surface. As a result, one vehicle after another rammed into each other, leading to a massive pile-up.

The police further stated that more than a dozen vehicles caught fire following the collisions. Several vehicles were completely reduced to ashes. Firefighters took nearly seven hours to bring the blaze under control, and all belongings inside the vehicles were destroyed in the fire.