A dramatic rescue operation unfolded in the Japanese city of Yashio, Saitama, on Tuesday after a massive sinkhole swallowed a truck, trapping its driver inside. The incident, which occurred around 9:50 a.m. local time, prompted a swift response from emergency services, who have been working for hours to free the driver.
According to local authorities, the sinkhole measures approximately 33 feet wide and 20 feet deep-about the size of a large swimming pool. "We have been carrying out a rescue operation ever since," a spokesperson for the fire department told AFP, noting the challenge of retrieving the truck from the unstable hole. The crew attempted to lift the vehicle with a large crane, but the operation is fraught with risks, as there is a concern that the sinkhole may collapse further.
The truck driver remained conscious and able to communicate with rescuers until approximately 1:00 p.m. However, once the area surrounding the sinkhole began to destabilize, the rescue team pulled back for safety reasons. Two members of the team sustained minor injuries during an earlier attempt to descend into the hole, highlighting the perilous nature of the operation.
Video: Part of a road intersection collapsed in Yashio City, Saitama and a truck fell into the hole. Efforts are underway to rescue the driver. pic.twitter.com/CPqXd3Y1lC — Jeffrey J. Hall (@mrjeffu) January 28, 2025
Authorities believe the sinkhole may have been caused by a rupture in the sewer system near the Nakagawa River Basin, though the exact cause remains under investigation. "It is thought to have been caused by a crack in the sewer pipe," said Motohiro Ono, the governor of Saitama Prefecture, during a press briefing on Tuesday. The collapse occurred at a busy intersection, sparking widespread concerns about local infrastructure and the safety of the area.
In response to the crisis, emergency responders have been pumping air into the sinkhole to provide the trapped driver with oxygen. Aerial footage of the scene showed at least 12 fire trucks and a significant police presence, as the situation became a focal point for local news outlets and social media users. The main focus is on rescuing the driver, Ono added, stressing the priority of ensuring the safety of those involved in the rescue.
Despite the severe conditions, early reports indicated that the driver had been able to speak with rescuers earlier in the day. However, as the hours passed, communication ceased, raising concerns about the driver's condition. The rescue operation has been complicated by the fact that the driver's seat is filled with sand and mud, making it difficult to safely remove him from the truck.
This incident adds to a growing list of sinkhole-related occurrences in Japan, a country known for its occasional but dramatic geological events. Just a few years ago, in 2016, a massive sinkhole appeared in Fukuoka, swallowing several lanes of road and causing significant disruption. Remarkably, workers managed to repair the damage in a matter of days. More recently, in September 2023, a sinkhole caused by a burst underground water pipe in Hiroshima forced the evacuation of several buildings.
The sight of the massive sinkhole and the ongoing rescue operation has raised questions about the integrity of Japan's infrastructure, particularly its sewer systems, and the possibility of further incidents in the future. Some social media users speculated that the area surrounding the sinkhole had previously been a waterway, which may have contributed to the collapse. "It looks like the waterway had been covered up and a road built over it, and the roof of the culvert had collapsed," wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.
