Mount Aso eruption forces dozens of tourists to evacuate

Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture erupted at 9:43 a.m. Monday, the Meteorological Agency said, launching a thick, black plume of smoke into the air and forcing the evacuation of dozens of tourists.It was the first time the weather agency issued an eruption warning since it began using a new bulletin system in August.

The immediate eruption warning is issued to help locals and climbers evacuate from the area more quickly.The weather agency also upgraded the alert level from 2 to 3, which prohibits people from entering the mountain.As of about 10 a.m., there had been no reports of casualties, Kumamoto Prefecture said.