Unexploded WWII Bomb causes flight chaos at Miyazaki Airport

An unexploded World War II bomb has detonated at Miyazaki Airport on Wednesday, creating a crater in a taxiway and leading to the cancellation of over 80 flights.

The explosion, which left a seven-meter-wide (23 feet) hole, fortunately did not result in any casualties, as no aircraft were in the vicinity at the time. Eyewitnesses described the blast as unexpected, with the potential for a historical relic causing modern-day disruption.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the situation, assuring the public that “there is no threat of a second explosion,” as police and firefighters worked to assess the scene. He indicated that the airport was making efforts to reopen by Thursday.

A bomb disposal team from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces confirmed that a 500-pound US bomb was responsible for the explosion. While the exact date of the bomb’s drop remains uncertain, local media suggest it was likely released during World War II in an effort to counter kamikaze attacks.

Miyazaki Airport, situated on Kyushu Island’s southeast end, was originally established in 1943 as an imperial Japanese navy base. This isn’t the first time unexploded ordnance has been discovered in the area; similar bombs were reportedly found at a nearby construction site in 2009 and 2011.

Unexploded bombs continue to pose a threat across Japan, with reports indicating that 2,348 bombs weighing a total of 41 tonnes were disposed of throughout the country in 2023 alone. The latest incident at Miyazaki Airport serves as a stark reminder of the lingering impact of wartime actions and the importance of continued vigilance in addressing these dangerous relics.