In Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, a significant incident occurred on January 28, 2025, when a massive sinkhole measuring approximately 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep suddenly opened up, swallowing a two-ton truck and its 74-year-old driver.
Incident Overview:
Date: January 28, 2025
Location: Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture
Event: A large sinkhole appeared, engulfing a truck and its driver.
Rescue Efforts:
Immediately following the incident, rescue teams initiated operations to reach the trapped driver. Initial communication with the driver was established; however, by the evening of January 28, he became unresponsive.
Underlying Causes:
Preliminary investigations suggest that the sinkhole may have resulted from a cracked sewer pipe associated with the Nakagawa River Basin. This damage could have led to sediment erosion beneath the road, ultimately causing the collapse.