TOKYO, December 2 (RIA Novosti) – At least five people are believed to be trapped inside a motorway tunnel that collapsed in central Japan, media reports said on Sunday.
The 4 km (2.5 mile) Sasago tunnel on the Chuo Expressway, located some 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Tokyo, collapsed at around 8 a.m. on Sunday affecting the Tokyo-bound lanes.
Witnesses said several cars and at least five people were trapped inside the tunnel and black smoke was spewing from the scene of the disaster.
Rescue workers have been able to get to about 300 meters from the site, but smoke is preventing further progress and blocking rescue and fire-fighting efforts.
