Japanese authorities have asked hundreds of residents near Tokyo to evacuate as a sinkhole at an intersection grew to more than 40 meters wide, hampering rescuers racing to reach an elderly truck driver whose vehicle was swallowed by the hole.

Rescue teams are continuing efforts to rescue a 74-year-old man trapped in a sinkhole at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama, according to 'The Japan Times.' His vehicle was reportedly sucked into the approximately 40 meters wide and 15 meters deep sinkhole just before 10 a.

Emergency workers have been hampered by unstable ground since Tuesday, when a truck and its driver were swallowed north of Tokyo.