
A truck crashes into a smaller car on a highway, compressing it like a cola can. The heap of metal then continues to plough though a line of cars, scattering them like billiard balls. Mere seconds later, intense orange flames engulf the entire segment of the highway and thick, black smoke fills the air.
This sounds like a scene right out of a Hollywood action movie, but unfortunately this is real life. If you can stomach the intense footage, check out the following video from Japan’s ANN News channel, which shows an everyday highway scene turn into a mess of metal and flames in the blink of an eye.
The accident occurred on October 16 on the Meishin Highway in Hashimashi, Gifu Prefecture as a heavy goods vehicle rammed into a row of cars that had begun to reduce their speed. It is unclear at this time whether there were any fatalities, but at least four people are believed to have been injured and five cars were ablaze just moments after the truck struck the first vehicle.
Japanese netizens commented:
“They catch fire so easily.”
“I usually drive my wife and two kids around. If I were caught in this situation, I am not confident I’d be able to save my kids…”
“[After the fire] the car door seemed undamaged. Maybe they were able to escape?”
“This footage is too much. If I were in the cars in front, I would be agonized.”
Tragedies like these are a stark reminder that accidents can happen at any time. We at RocketNews24 hope that, if you happen to be reading this story on a mobile device while out and about, you remain aware of your surroundings and stay safe at all times. Take care out there, folks!

Three heroes honored for miracle intervention in a highway accident in Chiba
Horrifying video shows gravity-defying bus accident
Half-destroyed truck seen driving down Japanese highway, astounds drivers【Video】
Highway “ghost” spooks YouTube viewers in Japan【Video】
Tragic toy car accident in China leaves nation divided【Video】
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Starbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
Final Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Dump truck miraculously saved from going off a bridge at the very last second 【Video】
Car accident reminds us of the obvious dangers of driving while eating instant ramen
Idiot Japanese drivers remind us life is not Initial D, no matter how loud your Eurobeat is 【Vid】
Man sees figure clinging to bus on highway in Japan, immediately calls police 【Video】
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Traffic accident scammer caught on CCTV in China, ends up having to pay fine himself 【Video】
Japanese toilet thrills motorsports fans at Suzuka F1 racing circuit highway service area【Video】
Road in Chiba plagued by accidents involving shutterbugs seeking “Chiba-fornia” shots【Video】