Sink hole rescue operation

Rescue workers are still battling to save the life of the driver of a truck trapped in a sinkhole near Tokyo. The road collapse occurred on Tuesday at an intersection in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture. The hole is about 10 meters across and 5 meters deep.

Another sinkhole appeared nearby later and began to widen in the early hours of Thursday. Firefighters say the two holes joined, hampering their work. Prefectural officials say the first collapse was likely caused by a ruptured sewage pipe and the second one could have been formed by flooded wastewater that eroded the surrounding soil.

The rescue operations have continued through the night, but firefighters say they are facing difficulties as the sinkholes continue to expand. The prefectural government is calling on residents in and around the city to use less water.