Following a volcanic explosion, Japan increased its emergency alert level to the highest possible five and advised inhabitants to leave.
Today at around 8:05 pm local time, Sakurajima on the western island of Kyushu erupted, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA).
State broadcaster NHK said that volcanic stones were reportedly falling down 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) away from the volcano.
Regulators confirmed that there were no anomalies at the nearby Sendai nuclear power facility.
It said, “Some localities have been urged to evacuate since the eruption alert level has been upgraded to 5, the highest.
No damage was immediately reported.
One of Japan’s most active volcanoes, Sakurajima often has eruptions of various intensity. It ejected ash 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) high in 2019.
A red mass that looked to be running down one side of the volcano was visible in video footage from Sunday’s eruption, along with red projectiles and billowing smoke that was difficult to detect in the pitch-blackness.
The majority of Kagoshima is located across the harbour from the volcano, but NHK warned that other residential areas that are less than 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) from the crater may be subject to evacuation orders.
Information regarding the issue was being gathered by staff members at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s office, it added.