Global Disasters Strike Over Christmas Holiday

A 50-vehicle pileup on a highway in central Japan resulted in two deaths and 26 injuries. The incident was triggered by a crash between two trucks, which sparked a chain reaction and set at least 10 vehicles on fire. The accident occurred on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, Gunma prefecture, during a heavy snow warning. Police believe icy road surfaces likely caused the trucks to skid, leading to the crash. The highway was closed, and a long line of vehicles, many charred beyond recognition, were stuck in the outbound lane. It took about seven and a half hours to extinguish the fire.

A severe storm is affecting California during the Christmas holiday, causing devastation and flooding. CNN spoke with a woman who lost her home, highlighting the impact of the disaster. The storm is expected to continue, with another day of flooding predicted for southern California.

A bus traveling from Guatemala City to Totonicapan lost control and fell 330 feet into a ravine along Guatemala's Inter-American Highway, killing at least 15 people and injuring 15 others. The incident occurred on December 26, 2025, near the 174km marker of the highway in the western department of Totonicapan. President Bernardo Arevalo declared three days of national mourning and expressed condolences to the victims' families. The crash has highlighted concerns about traffic accidents involving public transportation in Guatemala, with 446 accidents recorded between January and October 2025, resulting in 111 deaths and 623 injuries.