Japan Holiday Tragedy: According to the officials. Tragic accident on Japan’s Kan-etsu Expressway during start of the year-end holiday, claimed life of one person and 26 others injured.
Police officials at the Ginma Prefectural Highway said this crash occurred late Friday in Minakami, located 160 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. This incident happened when two trucks collided on a snow-covered stretch of the road. Where a chain reaction occurred harming more than 50 vehicles in a stretch.
Japan Holiday Tragedy: Heavy snowfall during holiday travel led to a deadly pile-up
A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo lost her life in the crash, who was among five people reported to be injured. Videos are circulating all over the social media showing flames break-out at one end of the pile-up, with fire spreading to over a dozen vehicles. Fire evolved blaze for nearly more than seven hours before bringing it into control.
Authorities had issued heavy snowfall warnings late Friday as millions of people across japan began travelling for New Year and year end holidays. Officials stated that severe snow and poor road conditions were the key factors behind the accident. Several parts of the highway remained closed for investigation and remove debris accumulated.
Shock and Condolences pour in as deadly Japan crash shatters image of safest roads
This tragedy sparked strong reaction online, with many expressing shock over Japan’s reputation of having some of the safest roads in the entire world. Japan is known for road safety, but during extreme weather affects everyone. My condolences to those who are impacted, one user wrote.
“Japan is known for road safety, but extreme weather affects everyone. My condolences to those impacted,” one user wrote. One another commented, “This is heartbreaking and frightening that harsh weather conditions can be converted into danger zones within moments. My thoughts are with the victims and all those who are affected, this is also a reminder that winter driving is risky and even most prepared countries can be prone too”.
