TOKYO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A severe traffic accident involving over 50 vehicles on Friday left one person dead and 26 others injured on an expressway in Gunma Prefecture northwest of Tokyo, local media reported Saturday.
The massive pileup occurred on the outbound lane of the Kan-etsu Expressway in the town of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, at around 7:30 p.m. local time after vehicles likely skidded on the icy surface as snow fell, Kyodo News reported, citing the police.
At least 17 vehicles caught fire, and the flames were extinguished about seven and a half hours later, the report said.
A woman thought to be in her 70s died, while five people suffered serious injuries, it added.
A section of the expressway was subsequently closed, with a row of badly damaged vehicles, some charred beyond recognition, clogging the outbound lane.
A heavy snow warning was in effect at the time. Police believe snow on the road may have been a factor.
A driver in his 60s said his truck hit the median after swerving to avoid a car ahead of him. He also heard the sound of explosions four times behind him, the report said. Enditem
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