TOKYO — A truck that fell into a sudden sinkhole on a road near Tokyo has become a focal point of concern as efforts to rescue the elderly driver continue. Local residents have been relocated to nearby schools for safety, amidst fears of possible flooding and sewage leaks. This incident has reignited discussions regarding the aging infrastructure in Japan.
What transpired?
On Tuesday morning, a sinkhole emerged in Yashio City, located to the northeast of Tokyo, and a 3-ton truck fell into it shortly after. Initially, the sinkhole measured approximately 10 meters (33 feet) in width and 5 meters (16 feet) in depth; however, it has since expanded to double those dimensions.
What is known about the driver?
The driver, a 74-year-old man, is believed to be trapped inside the cab of the flat-bed truck. While he was conscious and able to communicate with rescue personnel earlier, he has reportedly not responded since Tuesday afternoon, as indicated by Yoshifumi Hashiguchi from the Yashio fire department.
What led to the sinkhole?
According to Jun Uehara, an official from the Saitama prefecture’s sewer system, corrosion—potentially due to the constant passage of strong acid through the pipes—might have led to a breach, allowing soil above to collapse and creating a sizable cavity beneath the road. Despite a thorough visual inspection, which is mandated every five years, no issues were detected with the pipe. The leakage from the damaged pipe raises concerns of flooding in the area.
Why is the recovery effort delayed?
Rescue operations are being hindered by unstable ground, with a void existing below. Footage from the scene revealed the asphalt cracking and falling into the sinkhole, which also led to billboards being knocked down. Efforts to lift the truck using cranes were only partially successful, as they managed to retrieve the loading platform while the driver remains trapped inside the cabin. Attempts to remove debris and excavate the driver have also not yielded results. Drone surveillance of the sinkhole also failed to provide a clear solution for rescuers.
How are local residents affected?
Residents in the vicinity are being encouraged to limit their water consumption. Sections of the road are currently closed, and there is uncertainty surrounding the duration of the rescue operations. Reports indicate that around 20 residents living within a 200-meter (656-feet) distance from the sinkhole had to take refuge in a local junior high school by Thursday. In addition, officials are urging over one million residents throughout the Saitama prefecture to reduce activities like laundry and bathing to prevent sewage from overflowing into the sinkhole. Measures have been initiated to redirect sewage from an upstream pumping station into a nearby river, post-treatment, as per Uehara.
What are the next steps?
Once the driver is extricated, experts will assess the state of the sewage system within the sinkhole. In light of the incident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has called for a nationwide evaluation of sewer systems. As Japan is one of the most disaster-prone countries globally, concerns about outdated infrastructure have intensified. Much of the country’s primary public infrastructure was constructed during the rapid economic growth period of the 1960s and 1970s, and the sewage pipe involved in this case is approximately 40 years old.
