US bomb from World War II explodes at a Japanese airport

An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, creating a large crater in a taxiway and causing over 80 flight cancellations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The explosion, which sent asphalt pieces flying into the air, left a crater approximately 7 meters in diameter and 1 meter deep. Officials from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and police confirmed that the blast was caused by a 500-pound U.S. bomb. While the cause of the sudden detonation is under investigation, authorities have confirmed no further danger. Miyazaki Airport, originally built in 1943 as an Imperial Japanese Navy training base, has been the site of multiple discoveries of unexploded bombs left over from the war. The airport hopes to resume normal operations on Thursday.

Source: AP News