On February 18, around 10:35 AM, emergency services received a call reporting that three men had been buried alive by snow that fell from a company roof in the Hiragishi district of Sapporo City. By 10:55 AM, local firefighters managed to rescue the three men, who were subsequently transported to the hospital. One of the men, in his sixties, is reportedly unconscious, while two others in their seventies were conscious at the time they were rescued.

This incident occurred in a mixed residential and industrial area about seven kilometers east of central Sapporo, where the region is still dealing with the aftermath of significant snowfall. The area’s roads are reported to have more than a meter of plowed snow, and there are signs of accumulated snow on the roofs of some houses, increasing the risk for residents and passersby amid ongoing winter conditions.

Local authorities are likely to conduct investigations into safety measures regarding snow removal from roofs, particularly in light of this incident, which underscores the potential dangers posed by heavy snowfall and the importance of taking precautions in such weather conditions. As community safety becomes increasingly relevant in hazardous winter weather, this incident will prompt discussions on policies for building maintenance and snow hazard awareness in the area.