Shizuoka, Japan—Scattered debris blocked all inbound lanes of the Tomei Expressway early Sunday morning following a catastrophic chain-reaction collision. Emergency dispatchers received the first distress calls shortly after dawn.
At least twelve commercial and passenger vehicles were involved in the initial impact sequence. Dense morning fog severely limited visibility across this mountainous stretch of the prefecture.
First responders pulled multiple trapped victims from crushed vehicle chassis using hydraulic rescue tools. Local fire departments mobilized six ambulances and specialized heavy-rescue units to the scene.
Paramedics confirmed three individuals dead at the site before transport could be initiated. Ten other motorists sustained varying degrees of trauma and were rushed to nearby regional medical centers.
Prefectural police highway patrol units closed a twenty-kilometer section between major interchanges to clear the wreckage. Heavy tow trucks labored for hours to separate interlocking metal frames.
Traffic backed up for miles as authorities diverted stranded motorists onto parallel national routes. Commuters sat gridlocked for hours under stifling summer temperatures while investigators combed the asphalt.
Investigators collected initial skid mark measurements and downloaded electronic event data recorders from surviving trucks. Preliminary inspections suggest excessive speed amidst low visibility triggered the opening crash.
Maintenance crews inspected nearby guardrails and bridge joints for structural compromise caused by fiery impacts. State transport officials announced an immediate safety review for high-risk fog zones along the corridor.
The cleared lanes remained closed past noon as cleanup crews scrubbed spilled diesel fuel from the road surface. Police continue interviewing surviving drivers to piece together the exact sequence of the disaster.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
