TOKYO, July 24 (BNA) A volcano erupted on the main island of Kyushu in southern Japan on Sunday night, spewing ash and rocks.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns, but residents were advised to evacuate, according to the Associated Press.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the Sakurajima volcano erupted around 8:05 p.m., blasting large boulders 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) away in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima.
Footage broadcast by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed orange flames glowing near the crater and dark ash plumes billowing from the mountaintop high into the night sky.
The agency said it raised the eruption alert to the highest level of five and advised about 120 residents in two towns facing the volcano to leave their homes.
The agency warned of falling volcanic rocks in areas located within 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of the crater and the possibility of lava flows, ash and burning gas within two kilometers (1.2 miles).
Sakurajima, about 1,000 kilometers (600 mi) southwest of Tokyo, is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and has erupted frequently. It used to be an island but became a peninsula after a volcano erupted in 1914.
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