[International] Japan's Mount Aso Volcano Alert Raised to Level 2, Accident Aircraft Recovery Operation Postponed
bellala 央廣11h ago
The Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory in Japan announced on the 21st that the volcanic eruption alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture has been raised to Level 2, thus postponing the planned operation to move in lifting equipment today (22nd).
According to Kyodo News, the Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory raised the volcanic eruption alert level for Mount Aso from Level 1 ('Be aware of the volcano as an active volcano') to Level 2 ('Control around the crater') primarily due to the observation of a continuous increase in the amplitude of 'volcanic tremors'.
After two Taiwanese individuals tragically died in a plane crash while touring Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in January of this year, the three deceased passengers and the accident aircraft remain within the first crater of Mount Aso Nakadake. The Kumamoto Prefectural Police stated that the heavy machinery originally scheduled to be moved in for the helicopter lifting operation on the 22nd has been postponed due to the increased eruption alert level.
According to the Kumamoto Prefectural Police, the damaged helicopter was operated by 'Takumi Aviation,' headquartered in Okayama City. The bodies of the three passengers are suspected to have been found within the crater. The police have commissioned a private company from Chiba Prefecture to handle the recovery of the helicopter and the search and rescue of the three deceased individuals, with completion expected by the end of August. Preliminary work, such as on-site confirmation, began on the 15th of this month.
The Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory pointed out that since around 9 AM on the 21st, the amplitude of 'volcanic tremors' at Mount Aso has remained at a high level, indicating an increase in volcanic activity. Furthermore, according to on-site survey results, the daily emission of sulfur dioxide in the area has increased from 900 tons on the 16th to 1,700 tons.
The observatory stated that there is a possibility of eruption within a radius of approximately 1 kilometer from the first crater of Mount Aso Nakadake, and urged the public to be vigilant against large volcanic bombs and pyroclastic flows. The eruption alert level for Mount Aso was previously raised to Level 2 on July 4, 2025, and then lowered back to Level 1 on July 25 of the same month. The volcano last erupted in October 2021. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215813
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