Volcano explodes in Japan

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A volcano in Sakurajima, southern Japan erupted on Tuesday (July 24) spewing volcanic ash onto Kagoshima City.

The volcano erupted at around 7:15 p.m. local time (1015 GMT), causing ash to cover roads, delaying trains and forcing the closure of a road on the southern part of Sakurajima island, local media said.

Residents of Kagoshima City donned face masks and swept away ash on the roads.

The volcano has erupted over 600 times this year and is expected to continue its intermittent eruptions, according to the Meteorological Agency.

The Agency has maintained its volcano warning at level three out of five possible levels.

A level five would signal the evacuation of residents near the crater, while level three warns people not to approach the volcano. Mount Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes.