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Death toll in Japan tunnel collapse rises to nine

3,179 views · Published 4 January 2013 · 0:32 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: News Direct · 2013 · News & Politics

At least nine people are now known to have been killed when the roof of a highway tunnel collapsed on cars in Japan. The collapse occurred at 8am on Sunday inside the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway around 50 miles west of Tokyo.
A section of the tunnel's roofing panels collapsed, crushing several cars and causing a fire.
The cause of the collapse is as yet unknown although it was speculated that one of the metal supports holding up the panels may have come loose.
According to Reuters, "The operator of the highway, Central Nippon Expressway, said a 50-60 meter (165 feet) long section of ceiling panels fell to the road."
Motorists described narrow escapes from falling debris, and a long walk through the darkness after abandoning their cars.
NHK reporter Yoshio Goto, caught in Sunday's accident, hit the accelerator and managed to drive out.
"But it was a bit too late and pieces of ceiling fell on my car. I kept pressing the pedal and managed to get out," he said. "Then when I looked around, I saw half of the car ceiling was crushed."

Death toll in Japan tunnel collapse rises to nine

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