China News Service, October 20. According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), at 11:43 am local time on the 20th, Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan erupted with a plume of smoke as high as 3,500 meters, and volcanic ash fell from nearby villages.

At 11:43 am local time on the 20th, the Aso Volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan erupted with a plume of smoke as high as 3,500 meters.

Image source: NHK video screenshot

  The report quoted the Japanese Meteorological Agency as saying that after the eruption, a large amount of pyroclastic flow gushed out from the crater, and the furthest point has flowed to a position 1,300 meters away from the crater.

In addition, a large number of volcanic rocks were ejected, and they rolled down as far as 900 meters from the crater.

  According to the report, about an hour later, the Aso Volcano erupted twice, and the height of the smoke column was about 1,600 meters.

  An employee of the Takamori Town government, located about 8 kilometers south of Aso Volcano, said that volcanic ash began to fall gradually after noon.

In addition, an employee of Minami Aso Village, also located near the crater, said that "the height of the plume of smoke erupted this time is the highest in the past three or four years."

  Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroichi Matsuno held a press conference about the volcanic eruption at 13:30 local time. He said at the meeting that there have been no reports of casualties and will continue to pay attention to the disaster.

  At present, the Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the alert level of the area around Aso Volcano to level 3, and access to the mountain has been closed.