A Second World War bomb buried at Miyazaki Airport in Japan exploded unexpectedly on the taxiway, leading to the cancellation of nearly 90 flights. The incident occurred when a dud shell detonated, creating a 23ft-wide and 3.2ft-deep crater on the runway. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as no aircraft were in the vicinity at the time of the explosion.
The bomb disposal team identified the explosive as a 250kg American bomb buried beneath the land surface, likely during the wartime period. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. Following the blast, asphalt fragments were scattered over a 200m radius, affecting the runway as well. A video captured by a nearby aviation school showed the explosion throwing pieces of asphalt into the air.
As a precautionary measure, 87 flights were grounded, affecting approximately 3,400 passengers. Both Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways services were impacted, disrupting flights connecting Miyazaki with major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi assured that there was no further threat of explosions.
The airport firefighters received reports of smoke and immediately evacuated the area, ensuring the safety of everyone present. Despite the disruption, the runway reopened the following day, allowing flights to resume operations. Miyazaki Airport, historically a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII, has had previous encounters with unexploded bombs, remnants of past wartime activities.
With Japan still discovering unexploded bombs from World War II, efforts are ongoing to safely dispose of such explosives. The incident at Miyazaki serves as a reminder of the lasting impacts of wartime activities, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance and caution in handling such historical remnants.