FUKUOKA, Oct 2 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The runway at Miyazaki Airport in southwest Japan was closed Wednesday after an explosion on a taxiway, although no injuries were reported, authorities said, Kyodo News Agency reported.
With unexploded US bombs from World War II often discovered at the airport, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force sent an explosive ordnance disposal unit to investigate.
The runway closure, which led to the suspension of all flights to and from the airport from around 9 am, is expected to continue through Wednesday evening, according to airport authorities.
The transport ministry said its officials found a hole with a diameter of 7 metres and a depth of 1 metre on a taxiway.
Local firefighters said they received a report at around 8.10 am that an explosion was heard. Police instructed airport personnel to evacuate the area.
Long lines formed at airline counters in the airport's lobby following the incident.
The facility is located about five kilometres from central Miyazaki, the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture, and serves domestic routes, including those to and from Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Osaka Airport, as well as international routes.
It also serves as a pilot training base for the Civil Aviation College.
--BERNAMA-KYODO
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