Chain Collision in Japan: 20 Cars Burned, Casualties and Injuries Reported.

According to ТСН: On Friday evening near Tokyo, a horrific accident occurred that turned a highway into a graveyard of burnt vehicles. According to local reports, the incident took place around 7:30 PM Japanese time.

Chilling footage published by Kyodo News shows dozens of damaged and charred cars left on the snowy road.

Causes of the Catastrophe

The police reported that the main causes of the accident were icy conditions and snowfall. It all began when a truck collided with another truck that had stopped after a previous single-vehicle accident. This event caused a chain reaction, and vehicles unable to stop on the slippery road began crashing into each other, creating a blockage over 300 meters long.

Fire and Explosions

The situation was compounded by a fuel leak, resulting in a fire that engulfed 20 vehicles.

The flames were so intense that rescuers needed over 7 hours to extinguish it. Some cars were burned beyond recognition.

Witnesses shared horrendous accounts of the events.

"The ice made it hard for me to drive. I feared for my life," said a 60-year-old truck driver who miraculously survived by swerving into a guardrail. He also noted that he heard four explosions behind him.

Victims and Injuries

As a result of the accident, two people died:

• A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo who was sitting in the back seat of a car.

• The driver of one of the trucks (his body was found in the cab).

Another 26 people were injured, five of whom are in critical condition.

Traffic on the Kanetsu highway towards Tokyo is completely closed, and municipal services are clearing the road of the wreckage of burnt cars.

This tragedy highlights the dangers of winter driving, especially in poor visibility and slippery conditions. Drivers are reminded of the necessity to adhere to speed limits and vigilance while driving under challenging weather conditions.