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malaise

(269,172 posts) Sun Dec 2, 2012, 06:46 AM Dec 2012

Japan tunnel collapse: bodies found as rescue effort continues

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/02/japan-tunnel-collapse-motorists-trapped
<snip>

Police in Japan have found the charred bodies of several people who were trapped inside their vehicle after part of a motorway tunnel collapsed and caught fire on Sunday morning.

Japanese media said several vehicles were ablaze after a 100 metre long section of the Sasago tunnel's ceiling caved in shortly after 8am.

Firefighters discovered the bodies inside a white van after battling through thick smoke. The number of bodies inside the car is unknown; local media were reporting that as many as seven people were missing.

The rescue operation was temporarily halted in the afternoon amid fears of another collapse.
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Japan tunnel collapse: bodies found as rescue effort continues (Original Post) malaise Dec 2012 OP

I just saw that on the local (Japan) news Art_from_Ark Dec 2012 #1

It's frightening but it might be both one and two malaise Dec 2012 #2

They have now closed several tunnels that had the same design Art_from_Ark Dec 2012 #3

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)

1. I just saw that on the local (Japan) news

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Sun Dec 2, 2012, 07:16 AM

Dec 2012

There are a couple of theories about how it happened--
1) Water permeating from the ground above the tunnel corroded critical metals fasteners during the 35 years that the tunnel has been in use.
2) Natural deformation resulting from earthquakes and other geological events forced the concrete ceiling slabs to come apart.

The news was reporting that during the most recent inspection of the tunnel this past September, no abnormalities were found.

My condolences to all the victims of this disaster.

malaise

(269,172 posts)

2. It's frightening but it might be both one and two

Reply to Art_from_Ark (Reply #1)

Sun Dec 2, 2012, 09:10 AM

Dec 2012

They might want to check all tunnels given that massive quake

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)

3. They have now closed several tunnels that had the same design

Reply to malaise (Reply #2)

Sun Dec 2, 2012, 05:43 PM

Dec 2012

There are 12 highway tunnels that have the same design, and apparently most or all have been closed for inspection.

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