A giant steel pipe unexpectedly protruded 13 meters above ground in Osaka, resulting in injuries to two individuals and damage to vehicles, with the city disclosing the incident only 12 days after it occurred.
In a surprising incident near JR Osaka Station, a massive steel pipe that had been buried for sewer construction emerged 13 meters above the ground. Osaka City's mayor, Hideyuki Yokoyama, revealed that two individuals were injured and vehicles sustained damage, including shattered windows, twelve days after the occurrence on November 11. During the incident, asphalt fragments fell from the protruding pipe, causing injuries to a 70-year-old man and a 30-year-old man who were traveling in their car at the time.
The pipe, which measures 3.5 meters in diameter and weighs 56 tons, was intended for use as a vertical shaft in sewer works. The city acknowledged that they were aware of the two incidents on the day it happened but had delayed public disclosure. Mayor Yokoyama apologized for the delay, stating that accurate confirmation of the situation was needed and that the complexity of information required more time before making it public. The city has since taken steps to ensure that anyone else affected could contact them for support.
In response to the public's concern over the lack of timely communication, the city has established a consultation hotline to ensure any additional injured parties can report their cases. The contact number is available for public inquiries during business hours, reflecting the city's commitment to addressing community safety and transparency following the incident.
