Rescue workers in Yashio city, Saitama prefecture, are attempting to save a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a widening sinkhole that emerged on January 30, 2025. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep, was caused by a ruptured underground sewage pipe and has since expanded significantly.
- Rescue workers attempting to save truck driver
- Sinkhole appeared in Yashio city, Saitama
- Evacuations ordered for 200 nearby households
- Second sinkhole caused by sewage pipe rupture
- Gas pipeline concerns complicate rescue efforts
- Aging infrastructure increases sinkhole occurrences in Japan
The sinkhole first appeared at a road junction on Tuesday morning, swallowing a truck and prompting immediate rescue efforts. Emergency crews have successfully removed the truck bed from the sinkhole, but the driver’s cabin remains buried under soil and debris. Rescue operations have faced challenges due to additional road collapses and the presence of a gas pipeline, raising concerns about potential leaks.
As the situation developed, officials ordered evacuations for around 200 households in the vicinity. Residents have been urged to conserve water as the damaged sewage pipe continues to contribute to the flooding of the sinkhole. Video footage captured the moment when a lamp post and a restaurant signboard fell into a second sinkhole that appeared on Thursday, further complicating the rescue efforts.
Sinkholes have become increasingly common in Japan, attributed to aging sewage infrastructure. In 2016, a significant sinkhole in Fukuoka disrupted services but resulted in no serious injuries. The ongoing situation in Yashio highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In summary, rescue efforts continue in Yashio city as officials work to free the trapped truck driver from a dangerous and expanding sinkhole, which has raised significant safety concerns for local residents.
