A powerful explosion shook a small Okinawa town Wednesday morning when a construction crew accidentally set off what may have been a land mine from World War II.
The blast in Itoman sent chunks of asphalt and concrete flying and shattered windows at a retirement home about 30 meters away. Residents said it shook buildings in the area.
The operator of the power shovel that hit the explosive, 25-year-old Jun Kohagura, was cut in the face by flying glass from the machine's front window, according to a police spokesman who asked to remain anonymous, citing department policy.
Police think the explosive, which was buried about 1 meter deep, may have been a wartime land mine. The blast occurred around 8:20 a.m.
Local officials estimate there are still 2,500 tons of mines, rockets and other explosives on islands in the area.
