UNSaveSpara
Expand-Left
The full screen hole in Japanese Yashio. Photo: Kenichiro Kojima/AP
Despite several days of rescue attempts, a 74-year-old man is still stuck in the huge drainage hole in the city of Yashio in Japan.
1.2 million people are now urged not to flush in the drain to avoid worsening.
The drain hole arose in the middle of an intersection in Yashio on Tuesday. A truck with the 74-year-old man fell into the hole, and has been stuck there ever since.
This weekend, the intensive rescue work continues, reports Japan Today.
– We do what we think is best. All we can do is continue with the operation, a firefighter tells the newspaper.
Long ramp is to save the man
During the week, the drain hole has gradually widened and become larger. It is now about 40 meters wide and 15 meters deep.
Rescue personnel have sent drones underground but have not been in contact with the 74-year-old since Tuesday, CNN writes.
The rescue workers are now preparing to bring a long ramp into the drain hole, which machines should be able to run down on. With the machines, the workers will clear away debris from the hole, with the hope of being able to more easily access the 74-year-old man.
However, it can take another two to three days for the ramp to complete. Only then can the rescue workers themselves get down into the hole and search for the man.
Expand-Left
Full Screen Photo: Yu Matsuda/AP
Deficiencies in the sewer system
The authorities believe that the drainage hole was created by the fact that damaged sewage pipes leaked and caused the soil to collapse along the way. Further wastewater may then have caused the land to collapse further, the authorities believe.
Following the incident, emergency inspections of similar sewage pipes have been initiated in areas around the city of Yashio. The area covered by the operation has about 39 million inhabitants.
Prompted not to flush in the toilet
Residents in nearby homes have been encouraged to evacuate, and about 1.2 million inhabitants in 12 cities and communities in the area have been urged to avoid flushing in the sewage system.
The authorities ask residents to limit the use of water to reduce the pressure on the sewage system and avoid aggravating the situation.