Man Trapped in Sinkhole Near Tokyo as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Rescue Efforts Continue for Man Trapped in Sinkhole

Rescue workers in Japan are facing a challenging task as they attempt to reach a man whose truck fell into a sinkhole near Tokyo two days ago. The hole, which is reportedly 10 meters across and 10 meters deep, opened up at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama prefecture, on Tuesday morning, swallowing the 74-year-old truck driver and his two-tonne vehicle.

The rescue mission has taken on new urgency as water seeps into the hole, prompting the evacuation of residents within a 200-meter radius due to concerns about an underground gas pipe. Attempts to retrieve the man, who has not been named, were temporarily halted after a second sinkhole appeared, swallowing a restaurant signboard and telegraph pole.

The two holes have now merged into a larger gap, further complicating the rescue efforts. Local officials believe the first collapse was caused by a ruptured sewage pipe, and the second by leaking wastewater that loosened the surrounding soil.

Concern is mounting for the man's welfare. Media reports say he was initially able to talk to emergency workers but did not respond later the same day. Water began accumulating in the hole on Wednesday morning, submerging the driver's seat, and his condition remains unknown.

The prefectural government has taken steps to discharge wastewater into a nearby river to reduce the flow into the sinkholes, while urging residents to conserve water. The cause of the first hole is believed to be corrosion in the sewer pipe, which runs 10 meters below ground. Officials suspect soil and sand entered the pipe, creating a hollow that collapsed under the weight of vehicles.

The governor of Saitama prefecture, Motohiro Ono, has acknowledged the possibility of the sinkhole expanding. Evacuated residents are spending the night in municipal government offices and other facilities, expressing concerns about the potential for further sinkholes and the uncertainty of their return home.