A collision involving around 50 cars and trucks occurred on Friday evening (December 26) on Japan’s Kanetsu Expressway, resulting in one fatality and 26 injuries, five of them serious.

Videos shared on social media show a large explosion, followed by a fire, with thick black smoke rising into the air.

According to reports, heavy snowfall was affecting the area at the time of the accident, significantly complicating driving conditions.

Authorities closed the expressway in both directions for several hours.

The fire department managed to bring the blaze under control later in the evening, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.