Saitama, Jan 29 (News On Japan) –
A truck plunged right into a sinkhole after a highway collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, leaving the male driver trapped at a depth of roughly 10 meters. Rescue operations continued by the evening, regardless of challenges comparable to damaged wires.
An area news reporter described the scene late at evening: “It’s past 10 p.m., more than 12 hours since the collapse. Three cranes and a ladder truck are still in use for the rescue effort. The air is filled with the noise of crane engines and the voices of rescue workers issuing commands.”
Nearby residents have been shocked by the occasion. One commented, “I can’t believe such a huge hole opened up, right in the middle of the road.” Another, who works at an area restaurant, mentioned, “It could’ve been me instead of the truck—it’s terrifying to think about.”
The sinkhole appeared simply earlier than 10 a.m. at an intersection close to a residential space. The gap measured about 5 meters in diameter and 10 meters in depth, roughly the identical dimension as a hearth engine parked close by.
Witnesses described the dramatic second when the truck fell into the opening. One mentioned, “The ground had already opened up, and the next moment, the truck just disappeared into it. At first, you couldn’t even see the truck from above—it was terrifying, and I couldn’t bring myself to get closer.”
Firefighters deployed two giant cranes to drag the truck out. However, water and sediment gushing into the opening sophisticated the rescue. Around 8:30 p.m., a wire hooked up to the truck snapped, including additional delays.
According to firefighters, the driving force was responsive as of 4 p.m., however his present situation stays unknown.
Authorities in Saitama Prefecture suspect the collapse might have been attributable to a broken sewage pipe underground. Over 1.2 million residents throughout 12 municipalities have been suggested to restrict their use of sewer methods.
Experts counsel that growing older infrastructure might need contributed to the incident. Kazunari Yoshimura, consultant of Global Water Japan, defined, “Over time, seals and mortar used to join sewage pipes can shift. Factors like earthquakes and heavy traffic can cause damage, leading to leaks. When soil flows into the pipes, they act like a conveyor belt, carrying the sediment away and creating voids underground.”
Source: TBS