More than 130 vehicles were involved in a pileup on a Japanese expressway, leaving one dead, after heavy snow covered large areas of northern and northeastern Japan.
The fatal accident occurred around noon on Tuesday at the Tohoku Expressway in Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture, leaving one person dead and 10 others hospitalized, police and firefighters said. Heavy snowfall continues to cover large areas of northern and northeastern Japan, creating unfavorable driving conditions.
Videos shown on national TV show the extent of the damage caused by about 130 vehicles piled along the highway.
Rescuers are working to free more than 200 passengers trapped in their vehicles on a 900-meter stretch of highway. Expressway operators said visibility was almost zero.
The Japan Meteorological Agency predicted more extreme weather conditions, with the Hokuriku, Tohoku and Hokkaido regions expected to register snowfalls of up to 50 cm, 40 cm and 30 cm, respectively.
The East Japan Railway has suspended some of its shinkansen bullet train services in the Tohoku region due to bad weather.
If you liked this story, share it with a friend!