A massive sinkhole near Tokyo that swallowed a truck driver continues to expand, forcing the suspension of rescue efforts. Residents are urged to evacuate as the cavity grows to nearly the length of an Olympic swimming pool.
Near Tokyo , residents living near a massive sinkhole that opened on Tuesday (Feb 2) were urged to evacuate on Sunday (Feb 5). Efforts to rescue a 74-year-old truck driver who became trapped inside the growing cavity were halted due to safety concerns. The sinkhole, which initially measured around 5 meters in diameter, has since expanded to an astonishing 40 meters across - nearly the length of an Olympic swimming pool.
Local authorities issued evacuation requests for five households situated near the hole in the city of Yashio, within the Saitama region, according to a local government official who spoke to AFP. This directive follows a similar call for other residents residing within a 50-meter radius of the sinkhole to evacuate.On Saturday, Japanese rescuers successfully constructed a 30-meter slope, enabling them to deploy heavy equipment and attempt to reach the trapped truck driver. However, the mission was suspended on Sunday when a significant volume of sewage water, compounded by rainfall, was discovered beneath the slope. Public broadcaster NHK reported that the accumulation of water posed a serious risk to the rescuers attempting to navigate the treacherous terrain.Adding to the challenges faced by the rescue teams, the walls of the sinkhole, estimated to be around 15 meters deep by NHK, are continuing to erode. This instability makes it extremely hazardous for personnel to remain inside the cavity for extended periods. The sinkhole initially opened on Tuesday, swallowing the truck driver. It then merged with a larger cavity that emerged during the rescue operation on Tuesday night, further exacerbating the situation
Sinkhole Rescue Japan Tokyo Evacuation
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