A buried, unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan, causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of over 80 flights. Luckily, there were no injuries as officials determined the cause of the explosion and repaired the damage overnight. Miyazaki Airport, formerly a training field for Imperial Japanese Navy pilots, has a dark history as some pilots took off from there for suicide attacks during the war.
Miyazaki Airport Explosion: Unexploded WWII Bomb Detonates in Japan
On January 22, 2023, an unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan. The bomb created a large crater in a taxiway and caused the cancellation of over 80 flights.
Background
Miyazaki Airport was originally a training field for Imperial Japanese Navy pilots during World War II. Some of these pilots took off from the airport for suicide attacks.
The Explosion
The bomb that detonated was a 250-pound AN-M65 incendiary bomb. It was buried in the taxiway and had likely been there since the war.
The explosion occurred at around 11:30 a.m. local time. It caused a large crater in the taxiway and sent debris flying into the air.
Aftermath
Fortunately, no one was injured in the explosion. Airport officials quickly determined the cause of the blast and began repairing the damage.
The airport reopened on January 23, 2023.
Top 5 FAQs
The explosion was caused by an unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II.
No, there were no injuries in the explosion.
Over 80 flights were canceled due to the explosion.
Miyazaki Airport was originally a training field for Imperial Japanese Navy pilots during World War II.
The airport reopened on January 23, 2023.
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