Emergency teams are racing against time to save a truck driver who’s been trapped in a massive sinkhole north of Tokyo for over two days. The ground instability is making the rescue mission even tougher.

The incident began on Tuesday when the 74-year-old driver stopped near an intersection in Saitama Prefecture. Suddenly, the road gave way, swallowing both the truck and the driver. Witnesses say the man was alive initially, responding to rescuers’ calls. But hours later, a mudslide buried the vehicle, and there’s been no contact since.

The sinkhole has grown significantly, now stretching about 65 feet across. A second hole that appeared nearby merged with the first, making the area even more dangerous. Rescuers can’t send too many people in due to the risks, and heavy machinery might be needed to clear the debris.

Local officials believe the collapse was caused by a burst sewer pipe under the road. The damaged pipeline has led to water restrictions for 1.2 million residents in the area. While routine inspections had flagged some corrosion, the issue wasn’t considered urgent.

Japan’s government has now called for emergency checks on similar infrastructure nationwide. Meanwhile, the rescue operation continues, with hopes pinned on reaching the driver as quickly as possible.