TOKYO - A government agency of the Yamanashi prefecture said Sunday that at least seven people remained missing in a collapsed tunnel in the prefecture of eastern Japan, Kyodo reported.

The four-km long Sasago Tunnel in the Chou Expressway in Otsuki, about 80 km west of Tokyo, collapsed around 8 am on Sunday and caused blaze of cars trapped in the tunnel.

As of now, two people have been taken to hospital and firefighters have controlled the fire which was triggered by a crash of two vehicles after the ceiling and wall collapsed in a 100-meter section of the tunnel.

Earlier, a woman, who managed to get off from the tunnel, told firefighters that she escaped from a car in which five others were trapped.

More policemen have arrived at the scene and firefighters are trying to rescue the trapped people.

The section of the highway between Otsuki and Katsunuma has been closed, according to the report.

Police officers and firefighters gather in front of the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Otsuki, Yamanashi prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo Dec 2, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]