Authorities in Japan have confirmed the discovery of a body believed to be that of a 74-year-old man, whose truck was swallowed by a massive sinkhole nearly three months ago.
On Friday, May 2, the local fire department announced that a body had been located inside the truck’s cabin. Officials believe it to be the elderly driver who vanished when the ground collapsed beneath his vehicle in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture. “We located a man in the vehicle’s cabin and confirmed his death,” a fire department representative stated. The case has since been turned over to the police, who are working to formally identify the victim.
The incident occurred during the morning rush hour, when the road suddenly gave way. The driver was reportedly conscious and communicating with emergency services at the time. However, the rescue operation was severely hampered as the sinkhole rapidly widened and deepened, eventually measuring around 131 feet across and 50 feet deep.
Emergency crews faced major challenges as they tried to stabilize the area. Authorities requested that over a million nearby residents reduce water usage, including showers and laundry, in an effort to control sewage leakage that was interfering with the operation. Excavators and other heavy machinery were eventually lowered into the crater via a sloped path, and protective walls were built to safeguard workers.
Efforts to reach the driver were called off on February 9 due to fears of further ground collapse. It wasn’t until May 1 that rescue teams reentered the area to assess water flow and toxic gas levels. It was during this inspection that they discovered the body inside the submerged truck.
The man’s family released a heartfelt statement following the news. “My father had a strong spirit. I believe he clung to hope until the very end, battling fear and pain,” a family member shared with local media. “It’s hard to accept that someone so deeply loved could vanish so suddenly.”
Investigations later revealed that deteriorating sewer pipes beneath the road were to blame for the massive sinkhole. The tragic event occurred as Japan continues to experience a growing number of such incidents, with over 10,000 reported sinkholes in fiscal year 2022.
Authorities are continuing to examine the site and have reached out to the family to provide support.
