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5 missing after undersea tunnel collapses at refinery in Okayama

14 Comments

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© 2012 AFP

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14 Comments
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It would be a miracle if they survive. Given the weather conditions, time spent underwater, exposure and not to mention the injuries if any. God bless them and all our prayers go out them and their families.

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Japan just can't catch a break. Let's hope for the best.

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Geez... I don't want to be a pessimist, but it doesn't sound like much of a chance they're still alive. I hope and pray I'm wrong. What a horrible way to go.

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Could someone explain to me why in blue blazes an oil refinery needs an undersea U shaped tunnel? I cannot even believe they got the legal go ahead to do this! Ring of fire! Hello?

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Whatever the cause or reason I don't care. I feel sad for all the families that have probably lost a son, brother, father or husband...

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Not really a collapsed tunnel more of a 'being built tunnel not being deep enough under a mass of water that broke through and round the tunneling machine'. Tragic.

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Tunnels are always built round to support them so as not to collapse.

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Just had an earthquake here in Tokyo. Glad it is not near that tunnel.

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I felt that too. I hope they find these missing people alive in Okayama.

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These poor souls are not missing - make no mistake. They are history. May they Rest in Peace - getting killed just doing your job really stinks - one of my best friends also went out the same way.

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NHK reported tonight that the horizontal part was only 5 meters below the sea bed. The company representative at the press conference said they had based construction on data used for the previous, existing tunnel and hadn't conducted a new survey of the sea bed in the new location.

Slim chance of them being alive with the water filled up to the top of the vertical section, but here's hoping for an air pocket or something.

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@KingBasil: same reason why they need roads that lead to nowhere..

but seriously though, no idea what the purpose of this tunnel was

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"@KingBasil: same reason why they need roads that lead to nowhere..

but seriously though, no idea what the purpose of this tunnel was"

The tunnel housed pipes which transported unprocessed oil to another for refinery. There was already one tunnel in place. More capacity was needed I presume.

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The tunnel housed pipes which transported unprocessed oil to another for refinery. There was already one tunnel in place. More capacity was needed I presume.

Thanks Nigelboy, I was wondering about the tunnels use too. RIP workers.

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