A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bomb, likely from World War II, exploded near its runway, leading to about 90 canceled flights. The explosion created a large crater on a taxiway, according to a Japanese transport ministry official.
A bomb disposal team later confirmed that the explosion was caused by an American bomb, likely dropped during a wartime air raid.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but live footage showed a plane was nearby just two minutes before the blast.
The airport, Miyazaki, shut down its runway, affecting flights operated by JAL, ANA, and other airlines to cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Authorities said there is no risk of further explosions, and repairs should be finished by Thursday morning.
Miyazaki Airport, located on Kyushu island, was once a Japanese navy base where “kamikaze” pilots launched missions during World War II. The transport ministry noted that unexploded bombs are still occasionally found in Japan, with 2,348 bombs disposed of in the last fiscal year alone.
