Four Workers Die in Japan Manhole During Sewage Inspection

Four workers in their 50s died after falling into a manhole while inspecting sewage pipes in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo. The manhole, about 60 centimeters wide and more than 10 meters deep, was connected to an aging sewer pipe installed in 1981. Hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas, was detected at the site, and authorities are investigating whether it contributed to the fatalities. These inspections were part of a nationwide emergency response ordered by the Japanese government following a massive sinkhole in January that swallowed a truck and its driver, highlighting concerns over corroded and aging sewer infrastructure. The government has been focusing on inspecting sewer pipes with diameters of 2 meters or more that have been in place for at least 30 years. The tragic incident underscores ongoing infrastructure safety issues in Japan and the risks faced by workers addressing them.