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A volcano has erupted for the first time in 250 years with experts warning hot volcanic rocks could be hurled as fas as 2km away.
Clouds of smoke and ash began spewing into the sky from Mount Io in Japan as authorities quickly banned access to the peak.
An evacuation has begun of all nearby mountain lodges, hotels and inns, although no reports of casualties or damage have been announced so far.
The eruption, which began on Thursday and is continuing for a second day, came with warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency that volcanic rocks could be hurled as far as 2km - about 1.2 miles.