Rain-Swollen Kibune River Undercuts Kyoto Dining Deck Injuring Two

A wooden riverside dining platform at a traditional restaurant along the Kibune River in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward collapsed at about 11:10 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Kyoto City Fire Department. Six patrons were thrown into the rain-swollen river; two were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and were reported conscious. Authorities said prolonged heavy rain had raised the water level, and they are investigating whether the increased flow undermined the structure of the seasonal "kawadoko" platform, a common summer feature in the area that lets diners sit directly above the river. Building inspectors are assessing the safety of nearby platforms, and the restaurant has suspended operations pending the outcome.