Body of a truck driver swallowed by sinkhole in Yashio, near Tokyo, recovered Topic:Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 4:59amAn aerial view shows of the Yashio sinkhole which swallowed a truck driver. (Kyodo/via Reuters)In short: Japanese rescuers have recovered the body of a truck driver who was swallowed by a huge sinkhole near Tokyo three months ago.The sinkhole, which was caused by corroded sewerage pipes, was first discovered in February and is now at least 40 metres wide. What's next? A police spokesman said investigations were underway, including officially confirming the body's identity.abc.net.au/news/body-truck-driver-recovered-from-yashio-sinkhole-/105244924Link copiedShareShare articleJapanese rescuers have recovered the body of a truck driver who was swallowed by a huge sinkhole near Tokyo three months ago. A road in the city of Yashio caved in during morning rush hour in late January while the 74-year-old man was driving his lorry on it.The sinkhole, which was caused by corroded sewerage pipes, was reportedly 16 metres deep in February.The search operation was hindered by unstable ground, which raised the risk of the chasm collapsing further and prevented rescuers from approaching the area where the driver was believed to be buried.Since then the hole has grown to at least 40 metres across, almost the length of an Olympic swimming pool.Since February, the hole has grown to at least 40 metres wide.
(AFP: Yoichi Hayashi/Yomiuri/The Yomiuri Shimbun)A slope later allowed rescuers to send heavy equipment into the hole while 1.2 million residents were asked to temporarily cut back on showers and laundry to prevent leaking sewage from hindering the operation.Walls were built to ensure safety, regional officials told AFP."We discovered a man inside the truck cabin and confirmed his death, then passed the incident to police," a spokesman for the local fire department said Friday, local time. A police spokesman said investigations were underway, including officially confirming the identity of the body."Until the very end of his life, my father, who had a strong heart, must have been hoping to come home alive — fighting fear and pain — which makes me feel a tightening in my heart," a family member of the unnamed driver said in a statement to Japanese media."I can't believe or accept the fact that my father, who was loved by everyone, suddenly disappeared."Police are still working officially confirming the body's identity. (AFP: Takehito Kobayashi / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun)The number of sinkholes in Japan is rising, topping 10,000 in fiscal 2022. Many of these are sewerage-related in urban areas, a land ministry probe shows.In 2016, a giant sinkhole around 30 metres wide and 15 metres deep appeared on a busy street in Fukuoka city, triggered by nearby subway construction.No-one was hurt and the street reopened a week after workers toiled around the clock.AFPPosted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 4:59amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A graphic shows a smartphone screen showing a graph.'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A metal shard embedded in a tyreDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton speaks at lectern Erin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Popular now'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A metal shard embedded in a tyreErin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Candidate labels voters in his electorate 'dumbest on this planet' Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man stands in front of a railway level crossingRelated topicsCommunity and SocietyDisasters, Accidents and Emergency IncidentsJapanPoliceTop StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal Elections'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endTopic:Government and PoliticsErin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsJust InCosts and cancellations adding up for fed-up flyers in regional SATopic:Air Transport Industry7m ago7 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amSnowtown killer's parole bid 'slap in the face', says nephew of victimTopic:Homicide23m ago23 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:04amOne Nation staffer reported to corruption watchdog over referrals to law firmTopic:Federal Government34m ago34 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 5:53amHeritage-listed prison building set to become independent schoolTopic:Secondary Education7m ago7 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amMore Just InBack to top