Japan Sasago tunnel collapse 'traps cars'

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

A road tunnel has collapsed in Japan, trapping a number of vehicles, Japanese media reports say.

The incident happened at about 08:00 local time (23:00 GMT Saturday) in the Sasago tunnel, about 80km (50 miles) west of the capital Tokyo.

Public broadcaster NHK quoted its reporter as saying that black smoke was coming out of the tunnel and there appeared to be a fire inside.

Seven people were feared trapped in the tunnel, later reports said.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20571218

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[Tx4obama]

1. UPDATE: 7 missing after tunnel collapse outside Tokyo

7 missing after tunnel collapse outside Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) -- At least seven people were feared missing after parts of a tunnel collapsed Sunday on a highway west of Tokyo, trapping vehicles as smoke from a fire inside initially prevented rescuers from approaching.

Video footage from cameras inside the tunnel, after the fire was extinguished, showed firefighters picking their way through cement roof panels that collapsed onto vehicles inside the Sasago Tunnel, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) outside the city. However, local media reported rescuers had suspended work out of fears of another collapse in the tunnel.

A woman who escaped from her rental car after it was trapped in the (2.5 mile) 4.3 kilometer-long tunnel told authorities that she was unsure about the condition of five other people who had been in the vehicle with her. Another two vehicles were known to be buried in the rubble, suggesting at least seven people were trapped inside, according to a statement by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

It said two people were confirmed injured, one of them moderately.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_TUNNEL_COLLAPSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-12-02-00-26-41

[davidpdx]

2. That is a scary thing to be a part of and if I were there I'd go nuts

I hope they able to rescue the people in the tunnel quickly.

[Eugene]

3. At least three dead after Japan tunnel collapse: TV

Source: Reuters

At least three dead after Japan tunnel collapse: TV

TOKYO | Sun Dec 2, 2012 7:43am EST

(Reuters) - A tunnel on a major highway in central Japan collapsed on Sunday, killing at least three people and starting a blaze, Japanese media reported.

Attempts to rescue those still trapped inside the smashed tunnel, which began spewing smoke after concrete ceiling panels fell onto the road, have been interrupted for fear they might trigger another collapse.

Three bodies have been found so far, television networks Fuji and Asahi said.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/02/us-japan-tunnel-idUSBRE8B101P20121202

[masmdu]

4. I remember when a similar thing happened in Japan years ago. Unfortunately the group think mentality

and the over cautious approach so as to make sure the proper channels were followed ended up costing the lives of those trapped. Hopefully, things have changed in this regard and quick action can be taken to save those trapped.