Japanese authorities have asked hundreds of residents near Tokyo to evacuate as a sinkhole at an intersection grew to more than 40 meters wide, hampering rescuers racing to reach an elderly truck driver whose vehicle was swallowed by the hole.

Authorities hoped to complete the 30m slope on Jan 31, but a local official said it may take several days. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Another sinkhole has since opened up nearby, and residents within a 650-foot radius had been evacuated, a spokesman said.