Explosions from American flights containing unexploded bombs at Japanese airports
A US bomb buried at a Japanese airport exploded on Wednesday, causing a crater in the taxiway and causing the cancellation of more than 80 flights.
The small explosion left a crater about 7 meters (23 feet) wide but no casualties were reported and no aircraft were nearby at the time.
The bomb, which exploded at Miyazaki airport in southwestern Japan, is believed to have been dropped during World War II to prevent “kamikaze” planes from carrying out suicide missions.
“There is no risk of a second explosion, and police and firefighters are currently examining the scene,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said, adding that the airport was expected to open doors open again on Thursday.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces’ bomb disposal team confirmed that a 500-pound American bomb was the cause of the explosion.
While a transport minister said they could not confirm when the bomb was dropped, local media reported it likely happened during World War II.
Located at the southeastern end of Kyushu island, Miyazaki Airport was built in 1943 as a naval base for imperial Japan.
Another unexploded bomb dropped by the US was said to have been found at a nearby construction site in 2009 and 2011.
Unexploded bombs are still buried across the country. Reuters news agency said a total of 2,348 bombs weighing 41 tons were disposed of in 2023.
