Residents Near Sakurajima Volcano Allowed To Temporarily Return Home
A number of residents who have evacuated from the vicinity of the eruption of Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, returned home temporarily on Tuesday.
The volcano erupted on Sunday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to raise its eruption alert to the highest level of five. Kagoshima City issued an evacuation order to residents in some parts of Arimura and Furusato towns.
City officials allowed 18 people, out of 24 who evacuated to a shelter, to return home for 90 minutes on Tuesday afternoon on buses provided by the city.
Firefighters waited near the residents' homes so they could be returned to the shelter in case of any change to the volcano.
City officials say they will consider a second temporary visit if the residents want.