Rescue Efforts Stall as Saitama Sinkhole Traps 74-Year-Old Truck Driver for Third Day
Efforts to rescue a 74-year-old lorry driver trapped in a massive sinkhole near Tokyo have been suspended again due to worsening ground conditions. The incident, which began on January 28 in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, has left the driver underground for three days as authorities struggle to stabilize the area.
The sinkhole, initially measuring 5 meters wide and 10 meters deep, opened up at 9:50 a.m.local time, swallowing the 1,800kg vehicle.Rescue operations using a crane were halted in the early hours of January 29 after a nearby section of the road caved in, further complicating the situation. While the lorry’s cargo bed was removed on January 29, the driver remains trapped, and contact with him has been lost as rescuers heard his response at 1 p.m. on January 28.
The situation has escalated as additional cave-ins have caused two sinkholes to merge into one larger chasm, creating a dangerously unstable habitat. The city of Yashio has issued evacuation orders for 200 households amid fears of a gas pipeline leak. Authorities have been working tirelessly, using excavators to remove collapsible parts near the sinkhole, but the ground continues to crumble.
The sinkhole is believed to have been caused by a burst sewer pipe beneath the road. In response, approximately 1.2 million residents across 12 cities and towns in eastern Saitama Prefecture have been urged to limit their use of water to reduce pressure on the sewerage system.
Key Details of the saitama Sinkhole Incident
| Detail | Information |
|————————–|———————————————————————————|
| Location | Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo |
| Date of Incident | January 28, 2025 |
| Sinkhole Dimensions | Initially 5 meters wide and 10 meters deep |
| Vehicle Involved | 1,800kg lorry |
| Rescue Status | Suspended due to unstable ground conditions |
| Evacuation Orders | 200 households in Yashio City |
| Cause | Burst sewer pipe beneath the road |
As the rescue efforts remain on hold, the community anxiously awaits updates. The incident highlights the fragility of urban infrastructure and the challenges faced by emergency responders in such critical situations.
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