A historic US bomb buried at Miyazaki Airport in Japan detonated on Wednesday, creating a significant crater in a taxiway and leading to the cancellation of over 80 flights. Fortunately, the explosion, which left a seven-meter (23-foot) wide hole, resulted in no injuries, as no aircraft were in close proximity at the time.
The bomb, believed to be a leftover from World War Two, was originally dropped to target kamikaze planes on suicide missions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reassured the public that there is no risk of a secondary explosion, noting that police and firefighters are currently inspecting the site. Plans are in place for the airport to reopen by Thursday.
Authorities from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces confirmed that the source of the blast was a 500-pound US bomb. Although officials have not specified the exact date of the bomb’s deployment, local reports suggest it likely occurred during World War Two.
Miyazaki Airport, located at the southeastern tip of Kyushu island, was established in 1943 as a naval base for Japan. Past discoveries of unexploded ordnance in the area include reports from 2009 and 2011 of other bombs found at a nearby construction site.
The presence of unexploded ordnance is a persistent issue across Japan. In 2023 alone, authorities removed a total of 2,348 bombs, weighing 41 tonnes, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring safety from historical munitions.
