Several killed in Japan's tunnel collapse

TOKYO - Several people were killed and two women were injured as an expressway tunnel collapsed on Sunday morning in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture.

Smoke is seen from the Sasago Tunnel (top) on the Chuo Expressway as police officers gather in Koshu, Yamanashi prefecture, in this Kyodo handout photo, December 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Local police told Xinhua they have found several bodies in the tunnel but declined to be more specific on the figures.

Three cars crashed inside the tunnel when it caved in, and one white van caught fire, said the local fire department, adding several bodies have been carried out.

The two injured women who escaped from the crashed cars have been taken to the hospital.

One of the women, around 20 years old, sustained moderate injuries. She said there were six people still in the car she got out of.

The 20-centimeter-thick tunnel ceiling collapsed in a 50-60 meter section of the tunnel, according to the local Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The four-kilometer long Sasago Tunnel in the Chou Expressway in Otsuki, about 80 km west of Tokyo, collapsed at around 8 am local time Sunday. The expressway near the tunnel was temporarily closed.

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