Residents near Japan road sinkhole asked to evacuate

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) — Authorities in Japan urged residents of five households near a massive and expanding sinkhole outside Tokyo to evacuate on Sunday, the Japan Times reported.

Rescue operations for a 74-year-old man who has been trapped inside the sinkhole since Tuesday were also suspended, according to officials.

A local government official confirmed that residents near the site were asked to leave as the situation remained unstable.

On Saturday, rescue teams completed the construction of a 30-meter (94-feet) embankment, aiming to use heavy equipment to reach the truck driver.

However, rising sewage water beneath the slope, combined with rainfall, forced authorities to halt the operation on Sunday, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Authorities had previously advised residents within a 200-meter radius to evacuate after a second sinkhole formed early Wednesday near the original site in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture.

In response to the growing crisis, around 1.2 million people across 12 cities and towns were asked to limit water use, including showers and laundry, to reduce strain on the sewer system.

By Thursday, the sinkhole had expanded to approximately 40 meters wide and up to 15 meters deep after merging with the newly formed hole.

Local officials suspect the collapse is linked to deteriorating sewer pipes.