An unexploded U.S. bomb triggered a minor explosion at Miyazaki Airport in Japan, officials reported on Wednesday. The device is believed to date back to World War II.
Japanese media footage captured a dust cloud rising from the explosion, which occurred on a taxiway at the airport located on Kyushu Island. Originally established in 1943 as an Imperial Japanese Navy base, the airport was used to launch kamikaze aircraft on suicide missions.
Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the blast led to the cancellation of dozens of flights, with part of the taxiway collapsing.
“After investigations with the Self-Defense Forces, we confirmed that the explosion was caused by an unexploded U.S. bomb,” a transport ministry official told AFP. While it remains unclear if the bomb was dropped during World War II, local reports suggest it likely was.
Similar unexploded ordnance has been discovered at a nearby construction site in previous years, specifically in 2009 and 2011.
A total of 55 flights were canceled, affecting over 3,400 passengers, according to All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.
Top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the airport plans to resume operations by Thursday. “There is no threat of a second explosion, and police and firefighters are currently assessing the scene,” he added.
The fire department received a call reporting smoke at the airport at 7:59 AM local time (2259 GMT Tuesday).
