A steel pipe in Osaka, originally buried underground, unexpectedly protruded up to 13 meters above the surface, prompting local authorities to impose traffic restrictions in the vicinity of JR Osaka Station. The Osaka City government revealed on the 12th that it may take several more days to lift the restrictions on areas like Shimmido-suji, as they need to verify the safety of surrounding ground and bridge supports before making any decisions. The pipe, which is 3.5 meters in diameter and weighs 56 tons, is part of a project to connect a new rainwater storage facility to existing sewer lines.

Construction crews discovered the rising pipe on the morning of the 11th. By the evening, after city officials began injecting water into the pipe, it had sunk to 1.6 meters above ground. There are considerations to cut the protruding section to address safety concerns. A witness noted that despite initial fears, the pipe's descent was more significant than anticipated. As of the 12th, city officials were actively working to dismantle and relocate a covering board over the pipe, as well as injecting hardening agents into the surrounding ground to mitigate any risks.

This incident raises significant concerns regarding urban infrastructure integrity and construction safety protocols in Osaka. It highlights the importance of monitoring subterranean construction work to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Local commuters and residents are keenly aware of the situation, as the ongoing road closures disrupt daily activities, making the resolution of the issue a priority for city officials.