On the morning of October 2, an unexploded WWII-era bomb detonated on a taxiway at Miyazaki Airport, causing a significant sinkhole and leading to the closure of the runway for the entire day. The bomb, believed to be a 250-kg explosive dropped by the U.S. military during the war, created a sinkhole measuring 7 meters in length and 4 meters in width, with a depth of 1 meter. Shrapnel and debris from the explosion scattered across a 200-meter radius. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as no aircraft were in the immediate vicinity at the time.
Over 80 flights, including 23 connecting Miyazaki and Fukuoka, were canceled due to the incident.The explosion prompted concerns about the presence of more unexploded bombs in the area. Miyazaki Airport, located on a former WWII military base, has undergone previous surveys during expansions to check for such hazards. While initial assessments indicated safety, this incident has led officials to reconsider broader investigations across the airport grounds. (The airport was reopened the next day) Source: Miyazaki Airport / NHK
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