Sinkhole Near Tokyo, Japan Growing Larger... Rescue of Fallen Driver Faces Difficulties

On the morning of the 28th, a sinkhole that occurred in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, Japan, reportedly expanded to about 40 meters in width and 15 meters in depth, local media reported on the 31st.

Rescue operations are underway on the 31st to save a truck driver in his 70s from a sinkhole that occurred in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the sinkhole caused by ground subsidence was initially about 10 meters in diameter, but the damage scale increased as another hole formed nearby and merged with it.

The Yomiuri Shimbun suggested that the ground weakened as rainwater and other water flowed into the hole. It further analyzed, "The underground rainwater drainage pipe was damaged, and since it is located lower than the surrounding waterways, water seems to be accumulating."

A driver in his 70s who was driving a truck fell into the sinkhole. Fire authorities are conducting rescue operations but are reportedly facing difficulties. Authorities plan to dig out the ground next to the sinkhole to create a slope in order to deploy heavy equipment to remove waste inside the hole.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported, "The slope formation began on the afternoon of the 30th and is expected to take 2 to 3 days to complete," adding, "Depending on the situation, rescue workers may enter the hole before the slope is finished."

Authorities believe the ground subsidence occurred due to damage to a large sewer pipe with a diameter of 4.75 meters running beneath the road. This sewer pipe is located lower than the rainwater drainage pipe. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has instructed local governments nationwide to urgently inspect sewer pipe corrosion and related issues in light of this accident.