The Japanese meteorological agency issued a maximum level alert on Sunday July 24 after the eruption of the Sakurajima volcano, in the city of Kagoshima located in the south of the pays. Dozens of residents in the mountainous area were forced to evacuate.
The agency raised its alert level for Sakurajima to Level 5, the highest level, which requires evacuations.
Before the eruption of the volcano, which took place on Sunday after 8 p.m. (11 a.m. GMT), the alert was at level 3, which prohibits access to the mountain.
Residential areas in the cities of Arimura and Furusato, located within a three-kilometer radius of Sakurajima crater, must be on high alert
the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said in a statement.
No immediate damage reported
The two towns have 77 inhabitants, according to the city of Kagoshima.
Television footage showed a lava flow and ash being released from the volcano.
An explosion sent huge ashes about 2.5 kilometers from the crater, according to the Japanese meteorological agency.
No damage was immediately reported, according to state broadcaster NHK.
Le volcan Sakurajimawhich frequently belches smoke and ash, is one of Japan’s best-known tourist sites.
The country is located on the pacific ring of fire
an area of earthquakes and volcanoes.
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