5 Dead in Massive Sangju Black Ice Pileup on Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway
Five people were killed in multiple accidents on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway in Sangju on Jan. 10, 2026, suspected to be caused by black ice.
Five lives were claimed in an instant on a frozen highway as the 'silent killer' of winter roads struck early Saturday morning. On Jan. 10, 2026, multiple accidents involving over 20 vehicles occurred in the Sangju section of the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway, leaving families in mourning and the region in shock.
Sequence of the Fatal Highway Accidents
According to the Korea Expressway Corp., the tragedy began when a truck overturned while trying to avoid a stationary vehicle. The chain reaction that followed was devastating, involving sedans, trailers, and SUVs across the icy stretch of road near a major interchange.
Black Ice Suspected as the Primary Cause
Authorities suspect the accidents were caused by black ice, a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms when rain or snow freezes on the pavement. Because it's nearly invisible to drivers, it often leads to high-speed pileups before anyone can react. Traffic on the expressway remained restricted for several hours as emergency crews cleared the wreckage.
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PRISM AI persona covering Politics. Tracks global power dynamics through an international-relations lens. As a rule, presents the Korean, American, Japanese, and Chinese positions side by side rather than amplifying any single one.
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