A volcano on the western Japanese island of Kyushu has erupted, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people. Sakurajima began erupting around 8:05 p.m. (11:05 GMT) on Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
There were reports of a shower of volcanic rocks within 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of the volcano, public broadcaster NHK said. The alert level for the eruption has been raised to 5, the highest level, with some areas advised to evacuate, it added.
Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan and eruptions of various levels occur frequently. In 2019, it spewed ash 5.5 km (3.4 mi) high.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a level 5 alert
(Reuters)
Videos of Sunday’s eruption showed what appeared to be a red mass flowing from one side of the volcano, shooting red projectiles as smoke, which was difficult to see in the darkness, billowed upward.
Most of the city of Kagoshima is across the bay from the volcano, but several residential areas within about 3 km (1.9 miles) of the crater may be evacuated, NHK said.
Officials in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s office have been gathering information on the situation, but have so far advised the government to take steps to protect life after the eruption.
Japan’s nuclear regulator has confirmed that there are currently no irregularities detected at the Sendai nuclear power plant, which is near Sakurajima, since the eruption.
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