Japan airport closed by explosion of U.S. bomb likely dating to World War II
A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bombshell that was likely dropped during World War II exploded near its runway.
TOKYO — A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bombshell, most likely dropped during World War II to stem “kamikaze” attacks, exploded near its runway, causing nearly 90 flight cancellations.
Miyazaki Airport shut its runway after the explosion caused a crater 23 feet wide and nearly 3 feet deep in the middle of the taxiway next to the runway, according to a Japanese transport ministry official.
A bomb disposal team from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force later found that the cause of the explosion was an American bomb that had been buried beneath the land surface, probably dating to a wartime air raid, the official said.
No injuries were reported, but live cam footage showed an airplane had been taxiing nearby just two minutes before the explosion, according to local broadcaster MRT.
The runway shutdown has led to the grounding of 87 flights, but there is no danger of any further explosions and repair works to fill the hole should be completed by Thursday morning, said Japan’s top government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi.
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