Japanese volcano erupts triggering 'highest alert level' as citizens evacuated

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and three years ago it spewed ash over three miles high

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Japan: alert triggered by the eruption of the Sakurajima stratovolcano

A volcano on Japan's western main island of Kyushu has erupted, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people.

Sakurajima, which is located at the southern tip of Kyushu near the city of Kagoshima, began erupting around 8:05 p.m. (2305 GMT) on Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Onlookers reported seeing volcanic stones raining down an estimated 2.5 km from the volcano, state broadcaster NHK said.

The eruption alert level has been raised to 5, the highest possible, with some areas advised to evacuate.

After being ordered to avoid "entering the danger zone", residents of Kagoshima City were finally told to leave the area.

Footage from Japanese public television NHK showed orange flames near the volcano's crater

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and three years ago it spewed ash more than three miles high.

Video footage of Sunday's eruption showed what looked like lava flowing down one side of the volcano, with larger red blood cells gushing out as smoke billowed.

Officials from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office were gathering information on the situation, he added.