Driver Rescued After Truck Falls into Deep Sinkhole in Japan

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A truck and its driver fell into a large sinkhole at a busy intersection in Yashio, Japan, on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 10 am local time, with the sinkhole measuring approximately 20 feet deep and 32 feet wide. The driver was trapped for about eight hours due to the driver's seat being filled with sand and mud.

Rescue teams responded promptly, setting up equipment to pump air into the hole to provide the driver with oxygen. Aerial footage showed at least 12 fire trucks on the scene as emergency personnel worked diligently to secure the area and commence the rescue operation.

Initially, the driver was reported to be conscious and able to communicate with rescuers. However, as time went on, reports indicated that contact with the driver was lost. Local police have initiated an investigation to determine the underlying cause of the sinkhole, which is believed to be related to a crack in a sewer pipe in the Nakagawa River Basin.

The incident has sparked concerns regarding local infrastructure, reminiscent of previous sinkhole occurrences in Japan, such as one in Hiroshima last September and another in Fukuoka in 2016, both raising questions about the safety and maintenance of municipal utilities.

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