A massive crash occurred on a Japanese highway amid heavy snow, killing one person and injuring 26.
The incident took place on the Kan‑Etsu expressway in Minakami, about 160 km northwest of Tokyo. A 77‑year‑old woman from Tokyo lost her life when two trucks collided. Of the 26 injured, five were in critical condition, and one person escaped uninjured thanks to a fire that was extinguished after seven hours.
The highway was partially closed for investigation and debris removal. More than 50 vehicles were involved in the chain of collisions, and the fire spread to over ten cars, some of which burned completely.