Japan: 57-vehicle pile-up leaves two dead, dozens injured VIDEO

A massive pileup involving more than 50 vehicles has left one woman dead and 26 others injured in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, Japanese authorities said.

The chain-reaction crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. on December 26 on the Kan-etsu Expressway in the town of Minakami, Caliber.Az reports via Japanese media.

Police reported that a collision between two trucks set off the pileup, which quickly engulfed dozens of vehicles behind them.

The stretch of road, a straight section with a slight curve, saw particularly devastating damage, with more than 10 vehicles catching fire. Firefighters worked for over seven hours to fully extinguish the flames.

Authorities confirmed that a 77-year-old woman died in the accident, while five of the 26 injured remain in serious condition.

At the time of the crash, a heavy snow warning was in effect, with slippery road conditions believed to have contributed to the chain of collisions.

As of December 27, the expressway remained closed in both directions between Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture and Tsukiyono in Gunma Prefecture. Tow trucks have begun removing vehicles, but police say it could take hours before the road fully reopens.

By Aghakazim Guliyev