Japan's Sakurajima volcano spewed a cloud of smoke 5,000 metres into the sky Sunday, sending a rain of ash so thick onto a nearby town on the southern Island of Kyushu that drivers had to turn on their headlights in broad daylight, dpa reported. The falling ash also disrupted train service in Kogashima, the Jiji Press agency reported. Injuries and damage were not reported, and experts said they believed an eruption of magma was unlikely. Sakurajima has belched clouds of ash 500 times this year. Authorities warned nearby residents to be alert that the 1,117-metre volcano could spew more ash and small stones.
