TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed in a traffic accident involving four vehicles inside an expressway tunnel in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, early Friday, local media reported.

According to Kyodo News, a truck rear-ended two passenger cars and a trailer traveling ahead at a section of the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Kameyama City at around 2:20 a.m. local time, triggering a fire.

The five victims were believed to be occupants of the two passenger cars, the report said, citing police and the local fire department.

The 54-year-old truck driver, who was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by negligence, and the driver of the trailer were not injured, according to the report.

At the time of the accident, the section of the expressway was congested due to construction work restricting traffic.

An emergency call made to the fire department reported that a truck had crashed into a line of vehicles stuck in traffic.

Police are continuing to investigate the detailed circumstances of the crash. ■