The man is reported to be awake and able to talk, but the rescue operation is being hindered by the unstable ground. The sinkhole was initially ten meters wide and five meters deep, but has since grown to twice that size.
They have tried to lift the truck with a crane, but only managed to lift the trailer. An attempt to dig their way through has also failed. Drones have flown down into the hole to search for a way for rescue workers to get down, but so far no progress has been made.
The sinkhole is believed to have been caused by the collapse of the sewage system. The accident has led to the debate about Japan's aging infrastructure gaining new momentum.