Japan’s Mount Aso volcano erupts without warning, blasts plume of black smoke 2km into the sky

Mount Aso, a volcano on Japan’s main southern island of Kyushu, erupted on Monday, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said, blasting a plume of black smoke 2 km high, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The 1,592-metre Mount Aso is one of the most active peaks in Japan but is also a popular hiking spot. There were a handful of people at a parking lot near the peak but they were being evacuated safely, officials said.

They said the eruption had come without warning.

Watch: volcano in southern Japan erupt, sending smoke into the air

Kyushu Electric Power Co said the eruption would have no impact on its nuclear plants, one of which - the Sendai nuclear plant, roughly 160 km south of Mount Aso - was restarted in August.