OSAKA, May 11 (News On Japan) –
Part of the exterior wall of a commercial building collapsed in Osaka on May 10th, causing a nearby highway signpost to topple onto a taxi in what authorities suspect may have been linked to the building’s aging condition.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. in the Koraibashi area of Chuo Ward, Osaka, when part of the outer wall of a four-story commercial building gave way. The collapse caused a pillar supporting a sign on the nearby Hanshin Expressway to fall onto a passing taxi.
“The sounds were like bang, bang, bang, then everything started crashing down,” the taxi driver said. “Both the passenger and I were shouting. It happened so suddenly. I honestly feel lucky to be alive.”
The driver complained of pain in his leg, although police later determined that no injuries had been sustained. A female passenger in the taxi was also unharmed.
Officials said the building had been preparing to carry out measures to address deterioration linked to aging infrastructure.
Source: FNN
AloJapan.com