An unexploded bomb detonated at Miyazaki Airport in Kyushu, Japan, leading to the suspension of flight operations.
According to Kyodo News and NHK, the explosion occurred on a taxiway at the airport on Wednesday morning. Smoke rose immediately, and a large crater, 7 meters in diameter and 1 meter deep, appeared on the taxiway. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but more than 60 flights were canceled as the runway was closed for the day.
After the incident, the Self-Defense Forces and police arrived at the scene to investigate. They confirmed that a 250 kg unexploded bomb, dropped by U.S. forces during World War II, had detonated.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that there is no further risk of explosions, and authorities are currently investigating the cause and impact of the incident.
NHK reported that just two minutes before the explosion, a commercial aircraft heading to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport passed near the site. The aircraft safely reached its destination.
Miyazaki Airport has previously encountered unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II. In November 2011, a 250 kg bomb was found near the runway, and three years ago, a 1-ton bomb was discovered during parking area construction.
UXOs remain a severe issue across Japan. A local expert mentioned that an estimated 10 to 30% of bombs dropped during World War II remain unexploded, and dozens of UXOs could still be present at Miyazaki Airport.
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