A massive sinkhole disrupted a busy intersection in Yashio City, Japan, on Monday at approximately 10 a.m. local time (8 p.m. ET). The sinkhole, measuring an estimated 32 feet wide and 16 feet deep, caused a truck to plummet into its depths. Authorities have confirmed that the truck driver has been trapped for over 24 hours, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
Emergency responders have been tirelessly working to provide oxygen to the driver by pumping air into the sinkhole. Despite their efforts, communication with the trapped driver has been challenging. According to a fire department official, initial contact was established, but rescuers had to retreat due to the unstable ground surrounding the area.
The cause of the sinkhole is under investigation, with Saitama Prefecture Governor Motohiro Ono suggesting it may have originated from a "crack in the Nakagawa River Basin sewer pipe." Further assessments by government officials indicate that a heavily corroded sewage pipe running 10 meters underground might have contributed to the collapse.
Efforts to rescue the driver are ongoing, as emergency teams evaluate the feasibility of using a large crane to extract the truck without exacerbating the situation. However, rescuers face significant challenges. Sand and mud have inundated the driver's seat, complicating extraction efforts. The instability of the area further hinders progress, preventing rescuers from reaching the trapped individual.
The sinkhole's location in the greater Tokyo area has drawn national attention. Throughout the day, emergency responders have remained on-site, determined to rescue the driver. Yet, the precarious conditions have left them unable to establish direct contact with the individual.
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