Rescue Operation Underway as Massive Sinkhole Traps Truck Driver in Yashio
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A massive sinkhole developed at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on January 28, 2025, swallowing a truck and trapping its 74-year-old driver. The sinkhole, estimated to be 10 meters in diameter and 6 meters deep, likely formed due to the corrosion of a sewer pipe running 10 meters below the road, which allowed soil and sand to flow into it, creating a hollow that eventually collapsed under the weight of the vehicles.
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Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with significant challenges. The cargo bed of the truck was retrieved, but the driver remains trapped inside the cab, which is now submerged in water and sand. The driver was initially able to communicate but became unresponsive by the evening of January 28. Rescue workers have been using various equipment, including a crane and vacuum trucks, to remove water and sediment from the hole. However, the operation has been hampered by the risk of the hole collapsing further and the presence of a gas pipe nearby, prompting the evacuation of residents within a 200-meter radius.
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A second sinkhole opened nearby early on January 29, widening to around 10 meters, further complicating the rescue efforts. The authorities have been using drones and radar to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the rescue workers. Despite these efforts, the driver's current condition remains unknown, and the rescue operation continues with the hope of reaching him soon.