[Síguenos ahora también en WhatsApp. Da clic aquí]

A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed this Wednesday after American bomb, Likely launched during World War II to prevent kamikaze attacks, it exploded near the runway, causing the cancellation of nearly 90 flights.

Miyazaki Airport has closed its runway after an explosion caused crater seven meters wide and one meter deep In the middle of the taxiway next to the runway, a Japanese Transport Ministry official said.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bomb disposal team later discovered that the explosion was caused by an American bomb. was buried beneath the surface of the earth, probably the result of an air raid during the war, the official said.

No injuries reported but a live camera recording showed that a plane was taxiing nearby two minutes before the explosion, According to local MRT station.

The closure of the runway caused suspension of 87 flights, But there is no danger of further explosions and repair work to plug the hole should be completed by Thursday morning, according to Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi.

According to the airport’s website, the affected flights were operated by JAL 9201.T, ANA 9202.T and other airlines connecting Miyazaki to cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Miyazaki Airport is located on the southeastern tip of Kyushu Island. former Japanese army base until the end of World War II, where hundreds of young kamikaze pilots set out on their final missions, according to the Miyazaki city website.

They were previously found at Miyazaki Airport. several unexploded bombs, The head of the Ministry of Transport announced this.

More than 79 years after the end of the war, unexploded bombs from intense air raids can still be found throughout Japan. A total of 2,348 bombs weighing 37.5 tons were eliminated. According to the Self-Defense Forces, in fiscal year 2023.

Reuters