Japanese Rescuers Complete Slope to Reach Stuck Truck Driver

Rescue Efforts Underway

Japanese rescuers have completed building a slope to reach a truck driver stuck in a sinkhole, officials said, four days after his vehicle was swallowed by the cavity now 40 metres wide. The hole, which has expanded since opening up on Tuesday in Yashio city, on the outskirts of Tokyo, is now the length of an Olympic swimming pool.

Rescuers will use the 30m (98-foot) slope to send heavy equipment into the hole. “We are going to clear the debris and rescue the driver as soon as possible,” Saitama regional governor Motohiro Ono told reporters.

Challenges Faced by Rescuers

Soil and debris covering the cabin of the 74-year-old driver have prevented any communication with him since midday on Tuesday. Groundwater leaking into the sinkhole was mostly stopped on Saturday, public broadcaster NHK reported. With the walls of the hole – around 15m deep, according to NHK – eroding, rescue workers are unable to stay inside it for long.

The hole was initially around five metres in diameter but combined with a larger cavity that opened during the rescue operation on Tuesday night. Heavy chunks of asphalt have fallen inside, making it difficult for rescue workers and heavy machinery to go near the chasm.

Community Efforts

The 1.2 million people living in the area have been asked to cut back on showers and laundry to prevent leaking sewage from hindering the operation. Around 2,600 cases of road sinkholes in 2022 were caused by sewer pipes, according to local media. Most were small, at only 50cm deep or less.

Previous Incidents

In 2016, a giant sinkhole around 30m wide and 15m deep appeared on a busy street in Fukuoka city, triggered by nearby subway construction. No one was hurt and the street reopened a week after workers toiled around the clock.

Conclusion

The rescue efforts are ongoing, and rescuers are working tirelessly to reach the trapped driver. The community has come together to support the operation, and it is hoped that the driver will be rescued soon.

FAQs

Q: How deep is the sinkhole?
A: The sinkhole is around 15m deep.

Q: How wide is the sinkhole?
A: The sinkhole is now 40 metres wide.

Q: How long has the driver been stuck?
A: The driver has been stuck since midday on Tuesday.

Q: What is the cause of the sinkhole?
A: The cause of the sinkhole is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to sewer pipes.

Q: How many people are affected by the sinkhole?
A: Around 1.2 million people living in the area are affected by the sinkhole.