Japan Disaster: Huge Sinkhole Suddenly Opens, Truck Disappears!
A huge sinkhole suddenly opened up in Japan, swallowing a truck as aerial footage captured the shocking moment. Authorities are investigating the collapse.
A massive sinkhole, as big as a large swimming pool, suddenly opened up in the middle of a busy intersection in Japan, swallowing a truck and its driver. The incident happened in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, around 10 a.m. on Monday, local time (8 p.m. ET on Sunday). Officials quickly responded to the situation and began rescue operations.
According to Governor Motohiro Ono of Saitama Prefecture, the crater measured approximately 32 feet wide and 16 feet deep. Authorities in Yashio City received emergency calls at around 9:50 a.m., reporting that the road had caved in and that a truck had fallen into the hole.
A spokesperson from the local fire department confirmed that rescue efforts started immediately and were ongoing for hours. Around seven hours after the collapse, they were still trying to lift the truck out of the hole using a large crane. However, the unstable ground around the sinkhole made the operation risky.
Saitama Prefecture is located within the Greater Tokyo area, making this a high-traffic location. The sudden appearance of the sinkhole caused chaos, and authorities had to ensure public safety while attempting to save the driver.
Truck Driver Remains Trapped
Even after eight hours, the driver was still trapped inside the truck. Reports from Nippon TV indicated that sand and mud had filled the driver’s seat, making it impossible for him to escape on his own. Emergency responders were working hard to ensure the man had access to oxygen by pumping fresh air into the hole.
At around 1 p.m., the driver was still able to communicate with rescuers. However, the situation worsened when the ground around the sinkhole started to become more unstable. Due to the safety risks, rescuers had to temporarily step back and reassess their approach.
The Yashio City Police, in collaboration with other authorities, are investigating the cause of the sinkhole. NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, reported that so far, officials have been unable to reestablish communication with the driver, making the situation even more urgent.
This shocking incident has raised concerns about road safety and infrastructure stability in the region. Authorities will continue their efforts to rescue the driver and determine what led to the sudden collapse of the road.
