Growing concerns for trapped truck driver in Japan's expanding sinkhole

Friday 31 January 2025 - 10:34

Concern is mounting in Japan as a truck driver remains trapped for a third consecutive day in a rapidly expanding sinkhole. Rescue teams have begun constructing a 30-meter ramp in a desperate attempt to reach him.

The 74-year-old driver was caught in the incident when the road collapsed near Tokyo on Tuesday, swallowing both him and his two-ton truck. The sinkhole has since widened, while leaking water and a nearby gas pipeline have complicated rescue efforts. As darkness fell on Friday, workers intensified their efforts, but the unstable terrain and continuous water seepage have made the operation increasingly dangerous.

Authorities in Yashio, a town in Saitama prefecture, have ordered residents within a 200-meter radius to evacuate, while over a million people in surrounding areas have been asked to conserve water to prevent further leakage. Officials suspect that corroded sewage pipes caused soil erosion, ultimately leading to the collapse. Some contaminated water has been disinfected and redirected into a nearby river to mitigate further risks.

Despite ongoing rescue attempts, the driver, who initially communicated with emergency teams on Tuesday morning, has not been heard from since midday that day. The critical 72-hour survival window has now passed, heightening fears for his safety.

Construction of the ramp, initially expected to be completed by Friday, may take additional days. Once finished, heavy machinery will be deployed to clear debris, allowing rescue workers to search for the missing driver. As frustrations grow among residents, some question why the operation has taken so long.