Japan expressway pile-up kills two, injures 26

Two people were killed and at least 26 others injured after a multi-vehicle crash involving more than 60 vehicles on a major expressway in Japan, police said.

The pile-up occurred late on Friday on the Kan-Etsu Expressway in Gunma Prefecture, about 160 kilometres north-west of Tokyo, as heavy snowfall hit the region at the start of the year-end holiday travel period.

Gunma prefectural highway police said the crash began when two trucks collided near the town of Minakami, blocking several lanes.

Vehicles approaching from behind were unable to stop on the snow-covered road, triggering a chain-reaction collision.

Several of the injured were reported to be in serious condition. The identities of the victims were not immediately released.

Police said a fire broke out at one end of the pile-up and spread to multiple vehicles before being extinguished several hours later. No additional injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

Sections of the expressway remained closed on Saturday to allow investigators to examine the scene and crews to remove wreckage.

Japan’s weather agency had issued warnings for heavy snowfall late on Friday, coinciding with increased traffic as people began travelling for the New Year holidays.

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