Evacuation alert after volcano erupts in southern Japan

DOZENS of people were urged to evacuate their homes after a fiery volcanic eruption in southern Japan on Sunday (Jul 24) as the national weather agency issued its top-level alert for the mountain.

Television footage showed lava and dark plumes of ash exploding from Sakurajima in Kagoshima, which erupted just after 8 pm (1100 GMT).

The volcano frequently spits out smoke and ash, and is a major tourist attraction.

Sunday’s blast propelled large cinders about 2.5 km from the crater, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.

The agency raised its alert for Sakurajima to level 5, the top level, which urges evacuations. Before the eruption, it was at level 3 — which bans entry to the mountain.

“Residential areas of Arimura town and Furusato town within 3 km of the summit crater ... of Sakurajima should be on high alert,” the JMA said.

According to Kagoshima City, there are 77 residents in the 2 towns.

There were no immediate reports of damage, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Japan has scores of active volcanoes and sits on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire” where a large proportion of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.

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Sakurajima was formerly an island, but due to previous eruptions is now attached to a peninsula.

Japan last issued the top evacuation alert for a volcano when Kuchinoerabu island, also in Kagoshima, erupted in 2015. AFP