Volcano erupts on Kuchinoerabujima Island in Japan

Tokyo: A volcano erupted on Kuchinoerabujima island in Japan on Friday. The sudden eruption of Mount Shindake prompted the authorities to order the evacuation of residents of the island. The sky is filled with black smoke and the pyroclastic flow of super-heated gas and rock were seen flowing down the side of the peak. However, there were no immediate reports of injuries so far.

The Mount Shindake also erupted in August, 2014 for the first time since 1980. The volcano alert level for Kuchinoerabu island is raised to five. A military helicopter was also sent to the island to access the damage.

The Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe set up an emergency response team and also dispatched a self-defence forces to the island.