Now: Volcanic eruption – Evacuation has begun

Now: Volcanic eruption – Evacuation has begun

Sakurajima volcano erupted on the island of Kyushu, located at the southernmost point of Japan’s four major islands, shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday JST.

Television images from the volcano show lava and dark ash smoke rising from the volcano.

forced to evict

Regarding the eruption, Japan raised the warning level for the volcano to 5, the highest level. It is only the second time since 2015 that Japan has issued a maximum volcano warning.

Level 5 means, among other things, that nearby residents and temporary visitors must be evacuated from the area.

Japan government

The outbreak also led to activities for the Japanese government.

– Prime Minister Fumo Kishida asked the government to urgently collect information on the damage caused by the volcanic eruption, the Japan Times reported.

The Prime Minister also started rescue operations to reach local residents and tourists in the area.

The Japan Meteorological Service urges residents within a three-kilometre radius to monitor the falling rocks.

Lava flow warning

A warning has also been issued for lava flows up to 2 km from the volcano.

Among other things, hotel guests were forced to vacate their accommodation.

However, the volcanic eruption was not a complete surprise. Since Monday, movements in the Earth’s surface have indicated increased volcanic activity.

ring of fire

Japan has a number of active volcanoes as the country is located on the so-called “Ring of Fire” where a large proportion of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

Photo: Twitter

Text: Editors