67-Vehicle Pileup on Kan-etsu Expressway Kills Two, Injures 26 During Year-End Snowstorm

Dec 27•2 min read

Burnt vehicles are seen after a massive crash in snowy weather on an expressway, in Minakami, northwest of Tokyo, early Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A 67-vehicle pileup on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, during heavy snow killed two people and injured 26 as Japan began its year-end holidays. The crash began when two trucks collided, creating a blockage that drivers could not avoid on the icy road. A fire spread through about 20 vehicles and was extinguished after roughly seven hours; investigators have closed parts of the expressway while they probe the incident.

A massive 67-vehicle crash on the Kan-etsu Expressway late Friday in snowy conditions left two people dead and 26 injured as Japan began its year-end holidays. Authorities say the pileup occurred in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, roughly 160 kilometers northwest of Tokyo.

Burnt vehicles are seen after a massive crash on an expressway, in Minakami, northwest of Tokyo, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

What Happened

Gunma Prefectural Highway Police said the chain-reaction collision began when two trucks collided, blocking part of the expressway. Vehicles approaching from behind were unable to stop on the snow- and ice-covered roadway, leading to the multi-vehicle pileup.

Burnt vehicles are seen after a massive crash in snowy weather on an expressway, in Minakami, northwest of Tokyo, early Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Fire, Casualties and Response

A fire ignited at the far end of the crash and spread to about 20 vehicles; several were completely consumed by flames. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after roughly seven hours. A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo was pronounced dead in a passenger car, and a charred body was later recovered from the driver's seat of one burned truck. Of the 26 people injured, five were reported in serious condition.

Conditions and Aftermath

A heavy-snow warning was in effect at the time, when many people were traveling for year-end and New Year holidays. Sections of the expressway remained closed while police conducted an investigation and crews worked to remove wreckage and clear the roadway.