Authorities Confirm Discovery of Truck Cabin with Possible Human Remains Inside, But Identity of Driver Unclear

A truck cabin, which had been swallowed by a massive sinkhole in Japan two weeks ago, has now been located inside a nearby sewer pipe, according to local authorities. Drone footage suggests the presence of a human body inside the cabin, but it remains uncertain whether the remains belong to the missing 74-year-old driver of the vehicle.

The sinkhole, which now spans 40 metres (131 feet) in diameter, appeared at a road junction in Yashio city, near Tokyo, and is believed to have been triggered by a rupture in the sewer system. Rescue teams have been unable to enter the pipe, which measures five metres in width, due to persistent water flow and dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, commonly found in sewers.

To reach the truck, the authorities will need to install a temporary bypass to halt the water flow, a process which may take up to three months, according to Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono. Although rescuers successfully retrieved the truck’s cargo platform from the sinkhole, the cabin where the driver was last known to be has remained inaccessible.

The driver was able to make contact with rescuers after the truck plunged into the sinkhole on 28 January, but communication was lost as the vehicle became buried deeper in soil and debris. On Sunday, the focus of the search was shifted from the sinkhole to the sewer pipe, where part of the driver’s seat was recovered.

Initially, the sinkhole measured 10 metres in width and 5 metres in depth, but it has since expanded significantly, merging with another nearby sinkhole. As the ground continues to erode, local authorities have urged nearby residents to evacuate due to the risk of additional cave-ins.

In addition, authorities have called on the 1.2 million residents of Saitama Prefecture to limit their water usage, including reducing activities like showering and doing laundry, in an attempt to control the water flowing through the underground pipes.

The ongoing search efforts have been repeatedly delayed due to the hazardous conditions, including the threat of further road collapses. Officials warn that repairing the sewer rupture could take as long as two or three years.

Sinkholes have become more frequent in Japan, particularly in urban areas with outdated sewage infrastructure.