It’s not an uncommon occurrence for World War II-era munitions to be found throughout Japan, but locating one at an airport is definitely unexpected – and worrying. That’s exactly what happened at Miyazaki Airport, leading to the cancellation of more than 80 flights.
The 500-pound American bomb was buried beneath the taxiway of Miyazaki Airport, in southwestern Japan, and detonated on October 2, 2024. According to officials, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and police launched an investigation into why the explosive went off.
Media coverage showed a crater in the middle of the taxiway, near the runway, that was reportedly seven meters wide and one meter deep. No injuries were reported, and there weren’t any aircraft nearby when the detonation took place. That being said, video footage shows an airliner taxiing by the area just two minutes before the detonation.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told the media, “There is no threat of a second explosion.”
🌐 Breaking News: Explosion at Miyazaki Airport? ✈️💥
This morning, an explosion was reportedly captured on the information camera at Miyazaki Airport at 7:58 AM, sending plumes of dust into the air.
The airport office has confirmed that a sinkhole was found on the taxiway… pic.twitter.com/LPwA0VKsPp
— Currently JAPAN (@Currently_JAPAN) October 2, 2024
Miyazaki Airport was built in 1943, and it was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a flight training field. In 1945, it became a kamikaze base, with a reported 47 aircraft taking off on missions, including during the Battle of Okinawa.
At present, it’s believed the bomb was dropped during an American air raid at some point during the Second World War.
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The aim is to resume regular operations at Miyazaki Airport by Thursday morning.