Japan’s Mount Aso volcano ERUPTS sending clouds of smoke billowing into sky as tourists flee for their lives

A VOLCANO in Japan erupted today sending clouds of ash billowing into the sky as hikers rushed away from the popular tourist spot. No injuries were immediately reported after the late-morning eruption in southwest Japan. ReutersA volcano in Japan erupted this morning[/caption] EPAThere has been no reported injuries[/caption] People were warned not to approach Mount Aso as it released hot gas and ash as high as 11,500 feet, and sent stones tumbling down its grassy slopes. Authorities were checking if any hikers had been trapped or injured, officials told local media, as TV footage showed dozens of vehicles and tour buses parked at a nearby museum that has a clear view of the volcano. Pale grey torrents of ash were seen rushing down Aso’s slopes towards the museum but did not reach the site. For those near the mountain, “caution must be exercised for large flying rocks and flows of pyroclastic materials”, said Japan Meteorological Agency official Tomoaki Ozaki. “Caution is warranted even in far-away areas downwind, as the wind may carry not just ash but also pebbles,” Ozaki told a televised press conference, warning that toxic gases may also have been emitted. The last time the JMA raised its warning for Aso to Wednesday’s level — three out of five — was when it erupted in 2016, having rumbled to life the previous year after being dormant for 19 years. The agency has been warning of increasing volcanic activity there in recent days, including a small eruption on Thursday. Mount Aso’s huge caldera dominates the southwestern main island of Kyushu, where the 1,592-metre (5,223-foot) volcano is a popular tourist draw. Japan is one of the world’s most volcanically active countries. It sits on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire” where a large proportion of the planet’s quakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded. In September 2014, Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in almost 90 years when Mount Ontake, in central Nagano prefecture, burst unexpectedly to life, killing an estimated 63 people. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.