By Isha - Oct 03, 2024
An American World War II bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in Japan, causing a large crater on the taxiway and disrupting air service. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but over 80 flights were canceled, affecting about 3,400 passengers. The 250-kilogram explosive had been hidden underground for years. Despite the incident, repairs were quickly made, and operations resumed the next day. This highlights the ongoing issue of unexploded bombs from WWII in Japan, with hundreds of tons still present decades after the war.
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A World War II American bomb that had lain dormant at Miyazaki Airport in southern Japan exploded on October 2, 2024, leaving a large crater on the taxiway and severely disrupting air service. Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident, which happened seconds after a passenger plane taxied by the scene. Nevertheless, the explosion resulted in the cancellation of more than 80 flights, impacting approximately 3,400 passengers. The bomb was found to be a 250-kilogram (550-pound) explosive that had been hidden beneath the airport's surface for many years. A about 7-meter (23-foot) broad and 1-meter (3-foot) deep oval-shaped crater was left behind by the explosion. Asphalt fragments began to shower down, and eyewitness testimonies and video from a neighboring aviation school showed debris shooting into the air.
Unexploded ordnance has been found on the grounds of Miyazaki Airport, which was built in 1943 as a flight training base for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Pilots were trained at the airfield, and some of them flew kamikaze missions in the conflict. This occurrence is not unique; in 2021 and 2011, reports of similar finds at the airport indicated the presence of unexploded munitions. The Japanese government responded quickly to the incident, assessing and repairing the damage. The bomb disposal team's investigation and conclusion that there was no longer a risk of explosion was validated by the National Defense Ministry. The damaged taxiway's repairs were finished overnight, enabling operations to restart on Thursday morning with flights beginning.
The episode brings to light a persistent problem with unexploded bombs from World War II in Japan. Although the war ended almost eight decades ago, hundreds of tons of unexploded bombs are still buried around the nation. These devices routinely turn up during construction projects, therefore Japan's Self-Defense Forces have to take quick action to protect the public. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary of Japan, said that the airport closure caused the cancellation of 87 flights in total, affecting both domestic and foreign lines. Among the airlines impacted by the interruptions were major carriers including All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. The most affected flights were those that connected Miyazaki to large cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.