A terrible accident in Japan kills one person and injures 26 others

A massive crash in snowy weather killed one person and injured 26 others on a highway in Japan late Friday, as the country began the year-end holiday season.

Gunma Prefectural Highway Police said on Saturday that the serial collision on the Kan-Itsu Expressway began with a collision between two trucks in the town of Minakami, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo.

Police indicated that a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died, and among the 26 wounded, five people were reported to be in serious condition.

The collision between the two trucks led to the closure of parts of the highway, and cars coming behind them were unable to brake on the snowy surface. Police said that this serial collision involved more than 50 vehicles.

A fire broke out at the far end of the accident site and spread to more than ten vehicles, some of which were completely burned. Police said that no one was injured in the fire, which was extinguished after about seven hours.

Parts of the highway remained closed for police investigations and the removal and cleanup of debris.