In brief
A truck driver has been trapped for over two days in an expanding sinkhole just north of Tokyo, complicating rescue efforts due to unstable ground conditions.
Emergency workers have been attempting to rescue a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a sinkhole that formed in Saitama Prefecture more than 48 hours ago. The driver was near an intersection when the ground suddenly collapsed beneath him, according to eyewitness reports. Initially, the driver was responsive while the truck was sinking; however, shortly afterward, a mudslide caused additional debris to fall onto the vehicle, effectively burying the man within.As rescue operations continue, the ground's instability poses significant risks, leading to the development of a second sinkhole that merged with the first, resulting in a larger chasm of about 65 feet in diameter. Fire officials remarked that the sinkhole's depth has increased, and the portion of the truck where the driver is presumed located is now obscured from view. “The current situation is perilous for our rescue teams, restricting the number of personnel we can deploy. We're determined to reach him at the earliest opportunity,” stated one official.In efforts to assist, firefighters are contemplating the use of heavy machinery to remove the dirt and rubble obstructing their access to the trapped driver. A crane was able to extract part of the truck’s cargo, yet the driver remains missing from that area.Local authorities attributed the incident to a ruptured sewer pipe beneath the roadway, which had been transporting wastewater to a treatment facility. As a precautionary measure, they have advised the 1.2 million residents affected to limit their water usage due to the damage impacting the sewer system. Routine inspections of the sewer system, which are conducted every five years, did not reveal any critical repair needs. The last inspection indicated some corrosion, but it was not considered an urgent threat.Following the incident, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism ordered emergency inspections of similar infrastructure, particularly those associated with large wastewater treatment operations.
