A Japanese volcano spewed ash several miles into the sky when it erupted on Wednesday, prompting officials to warn people to steer clear of the threat of lava flows and falling rocks, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Mount Aso, a tourist destination on the main southern island of Kyushu, spewed plumes of ash 3.5 km high when it erupted at about 11:43 am, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
It raised its alert level for the volcano to 3 on a scale of 5, telling people not to approach, and warned of a risk of large volcanic blocks and pyroclastic flows within a radius of about 1 km around the mountain's Nakadake crater.
Ash falls from the 1,592-metre mountain in the prefecture of Kumamoto are expected to shower nearby towns until late afternoon, it added.
Mount Aso had a small eruption in 2019, while Japan's worst volcanic disaster in nearly 90 years killed 63 people on Mount Ontake in September 2014.
Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage
Philippine firefighters enter charred ferry as search continues for dozens missing
Fire in rebel-held east Congo kills 24 schoolchildren
Trump says he does not regret Iran war despite potential impact on elections
Trump touts $5,000 payout if Republicans win as Vance waits in wings
Search expands after Philippine ferry fire kills five and leaves dozens missing
Trump says Iran war to end after US midterm elections
Cargo vessel fire at east China shipyard kills 25
