A dramatic incident unfolded near Tokyo as a sinkhole suddenly opened on a road in Yashio City, causing a 3-ton truck to fall into it. The sinkhole, initially 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep, has since doubled in size, posing challenges for the ongoing rescue operation.
The driver, a 74-year-old man, remains trapped in the cabin of the truck. Despite initial communication with rescue workers, he has not responded since Tuesday afternoon, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Authorities suspect that corrosion in the sewer system, possibly due to the constant flow of strong acid, led to the formation of the sinkhole. The damaged pipe has caused sewage water leakage, raising concerns about potential flooding in the area.
Efforts to rescue the driver have been complicated by the unstable ground and the large hollow space beneath the road. Various methods, including using cranes to lift the truck and drone inspections, have been attempted without success.
As a precautionary measure, residents within a 200-meter radius of the sinkhole have sought shelter at a local junior high school. Additionally, over one million residents in Saitama prefecture have been advised to reduce water usage to prevent sewage overflow.
Once the driver is safely extracted, experts will inspect the sewage system, and a nationwide inspection of sewer systems has been ordered by the Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry.
Japan's aging infrastructure, much of which dates back to the economic boom of the 1960s and 1970s, has come under scrutiny following this incident. The sinkhole serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining and upgrading critical public infrastructure to ensure the safety of residents.
