A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Gunma Prefecture has claimed at least two lives and left dozens injured, authorities confirmed following one of the worst winter highway accidents in recent years.
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| Japan - Deadly Multi-Vehicle Pileup on Kan-etsu Expressway in Gunma |
The massive pileup occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 26, near the Minakami Interchange on the expressway’s outbound lanes. According to police, the crash was triggered when a large truck collided with a midsized truck that had stopped sideways on the icy road, where heavy snow and freezing conditions had created hazardous driving conditions.
The initial collision led to a chain reaction involving more than 60 vehicles, stretching over roughly 300 meters of the roadway. Dozens of cars and trucks were unable to stop on the slick surface, resulting in widespread impact damage.
🔴JAPAN 🇯🇵 | A serious accident followed by a massive pileup involving up to 67 cars and trucks occurred on Friday, December 26, around 7:30 p.m. on the #KanetsuExpressway, a major highway leading out of #Japan, in #Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Numerous injuries were reported. pic.twitter.com/YkAJbFPBUb
— Nanana365 (@nanana365media) December 27, 2025
Casualties and Response
- Fatalities: Two victims were confirmed dead. One has been identified as a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo, who was a passenger in a family vehicle. The body of another individual was found in a burned truck the following morning.
- Injuries: At least 26 people were injured, with several reported to be in serious condition.
- Fires: A large fire broke out at one end of the accident site, consuming up to 20 vehicles and requiring over seven hours for firefighters to extinguish.
Emergency services, including police, fire, and highway crews, worked through the night to manage the scene, treat the injured, and clear wreckage from the expressway. Sections of the highway were closed for more than 40 hours as cleanup and investigations continued.
Weather and Road Conditions
Snowfall and freezing temperatures were widespread across the region at the time of the crash, contributing to icy road surfaces and reduced visibility. Police believe these conditions significantly reduced tire traction, leading to the series of collisions. Drivers had been advised to reduce speed due to winter conditions, but heavy traffic for the year-end holiday season likely compounded the risk.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact sequence of events and whether additional factors, such as vehicle speed or road maintenance issues, contributed to the accident. In the meantime, highway operators and law enforcement are urging road users to exercise extreme caution during winter weather, including the use of winter tires and reduced travel during heavy snow. 
