Tokyo workers sucked into manhole

Five workers were sucked into a manhole in Tokyo during repair work after sewage water suddenly rose as thunderstorms hit the city.

Tokyo Fire Department spokeswoman Masami Komura said a sixth worker escaped on his own when sewage water suddenly surged to where the six men were repairing the manhole in Toshima Ward in south-eastern Tokyo.

Ms Komura said rescuers later found one of the five workers floating in a nearby river and plucked him out of the water, but he was unconscious.

She said search operations are continuing for the four people still missing.

Weather warnings for Tokyo predict heavy rain and flooding.