Dozens of flights halted in Japan after Sakurajima volcano erupted multiple times

Numerous flights were cancelled after a massive volcano, 'Sakurajima', erupted multiple times in Japan on Sunday, November 16, 2025, sending a plume of smoke and ash as high as 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) into the air.

The volcano is located on the western island of Kyushu, near the city of Kagoshima, according to Reuters.

According to the Japanese Meteorological Agency JMA ‘Sakurajima’ is one of Japan's most active volcanoes, with eruptions varying at different levels regularly in the seaside city of Kagoshima Prefecture.

The volcano has caused major flight disruptions and inconvenience in the region.

Japan’s local media reported that more than 30 flights to and from Kagoshima have been cancelled, and hundreds of people have suffered inconvenience since the volcano erupted.

The volcanic ash from Sakurajima drifted northwest following the latest eruption in Kagoshima and the nearby Miyazaki Prefecture.

While large volcanic rocks fell, no pyroclastic flows or injuries have been reported; however, the alert levels remain the same for people living in the nearby volcanic zone, following multiple eruptions.

Furthermore, the Sakurajima eruption reaching 4 km or higher is the first in the past 13 months, reports Kyodo News Agency.

Previously, Sakurajima erupted in 2019, spewing ash up to 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) high.