China: Massive Sandstorm Engulfs City in Xinjiang, Turning Day Into Darkness

This is the shocking moment that a towering wall of sandstorm swept across a city in China, rapidly engulfing buildings and streets as strong winds pushed the dense dust forward. On April 17, 2026, in Xinjiang, China, the video captured a powerful sandstorm advancing toward an urban area, forming what appeared to be a massive moving wall of dust. The sky quickly darkened as the storm rolled in, with visibility dropping sharply. Buildings in the distance were gradually swallowed by the thick haze, while the fast-moving sand created an overwhelming sense of pressure and urgency. The footage showcased how the sandstorm surged forward in waves, covering roads, infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods within moments. According to the local meteorological bureau, wind speeds during the event had reached up to 25.2 meters per second, contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the sandstorm. The video ended with the city almost completely obscured by the dust, leaving only faint outlines of buildings visible through the thick, swirling sand.

Japan: Volcanic Ash Blankets Kagoshima After Sakurajima Eruption Sends Plume 2,400 Meters High 2

Sakurajima volcano erupted on Tuesday, April 21 at around 10 a.m., sending a plume of smoke 2,400 meters above the crater. The volume of the eruption plume was described as slightly large. The April 21 eruption was the eighth explosion recorded at Sakurajima since the first of the year was observed on April 11. By the morning of April 22, volcanic ash had accumulated on car hoods and road surfaces in Kagoshima City. The city deployed water-spraying trucks to clean the ash from the streets.

Japan: Volcanic Ash Blankets Kagoshima After Sakurajima Eruption Sends Plume 2,400 Meters High

Sakurajima volcano erupted on Tuesday, April 21 at around 10 a.m., sending a plume of smoke 2,400 meters above the crater. The volume of the eruption plume was described as slightly large. The April 21 eruption was the eighth explosion recorded at Sakurajima since the first of the year was observed on April 11. By the morning of April 22, volcanic ash had accumulated on car hoods and road surfaces in Kagoshima City. The city deployed water-spraying trucks to clean the ash from the streets.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Police investigators head for an on-site probe of the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, a day after a fatal accident. A worker died after being trapped in the Flying Balloon following a fall during an inspection of the attraction, which seats 12 people and spins around while rising to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Police investigators head for an on-site probe of the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, a day after a fatal accident. A worker died after being trapped in the Flying Balloon following a fall during an inspection of the attraction, which seats 12 people and spins around while rising to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Firefighters gather around the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, after a worker lost consciousness while trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Firefighters gather around the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, after a worker lost consciousness while trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo where a worker became unconscious after getting trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo where a worker became unconscious after getting trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo where a worker became unconscious after getting trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo where a worker became unconscious after getting trapped in the attraction following a fall during an inspection. The Flying Balloon, which seats 12, spins around and rises to a height of 10 meters.

Japan: Passenger Captures Moment Bullet Train Grinds to Halt as Powerful Earthquake Hits 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage was shot on a Shinkansen bullet train bound for Tokyo between Ichinoseki Station and Kurikoma-Kogen Station.

Japan: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 7

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage captures the moment an earthquake alert sounds, as rails hum and vibrate and overhead wires sway in the tremor in Hakodate, Hokkaido.

Japan: Passenger Captures Moment Bullet Train Grinds to Halt as Powerful Earthquake Hits

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region on Monday, April 20, with tsunami warnings of up to three meters issued for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. This video shows the moment a Shinkansen bullet train makes an emergency stop in Miyagi Prefecture as the earthquake struck.

Japan: Shoppers Evacuate to Rooftop Amid Tsunami Warnings Following Major Earthquake

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage captures people at a shopping mall in Hachinohe evacuating to the rooftop amid tsunami warnings.

Japan: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 8

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage was shot in the food court of the CiiNA CiiNA Aomori shopping center in Aomori City.

Japan: Sirens Blare as Tsunami Warning Issued After Powerful Earthquake 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 4

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 3

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 6

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 5

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Sirens Blare as Tsunami Warning Issued After Powerful Earthquake

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts Twice in Two Days for First Time This Year 2

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima, southern Japan, erupted explosively on consecutive days for the first time this year. The blasts from the Minamidake summit crater on April 11 and 12 sent ash plumes up to 3,400 meters high and scattered volcanic rocks up to 1,000 meters from the crater. No pyroclastic flows were observed. The eruptions are the first and second of the year, following the previous event on December 13 last year. Volcanic alert level 3 — prohibiting entry into the mountain — remains in effect, with authorities warning of large projectiles and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers of the crater.

Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts Twice in Two Days for First Time This Year

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima, southern Japan, erupted explosively on consecutive days for the first time this year. The blasts from the Minamidake summit crater on April 11 and 12 sent ash plumes up to 3,400 meters high and scattered volcanic rocks up to 1,000 meters from the crater. No pyroclastic flows were observed. The eruptions are the first and second of the year, following the previous event on December 13 last year. Volcanic alert level 3 — prohibiting entry into the mountain — remains in effect, with authorities warning of large projectiles and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers of the crater.

Japan: Volcanic Ash Blankets Vehicles in Kagoshima Following Eruptions at Sakurajima

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima erupted multiple times starting Saturday, April 11, sending ash columns thousands of meters into the sky. A Level 3 eruption alert remained in effect, warning of large volcanic rocks and pyroclastic flows within approximately two kilometers of the crater, with ashfall reported in surrounding areas.

New Zealand: Cyclone Vaianu Batters North Island, Forcing Evacuations and Power Outages

Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, April 12, bringing winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain, and waves over 6 meters. Around 5,000 homes lost power, hundreds were evacuated, and over 90 regional flights were cancelled. Several areas were placed under emergency declarations.

New Zealand: Cyclone Vaianu Batters North Island, Forcing Evacuations and Power Outages 2

Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, April 12, bringing winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain, and waves over 6 meters. Around 5,000 homes lost power, hundreds were evacuated, and over 90 regional flights were cancelled. Several areas were placed under emergency declarations.

Philippines: Kanlaon Volcano Erupts 1,200-Meter Ash Plume, Alert Level 2 Maintained 3

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island erupted an ash plume reaching 1,200 meters on Thursday, April 9, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported. The activity is likely caused by pressure buildup from hydrothermal processes beneath the volcano. Twelve volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, and sulfur dioxide emissions were measured at 1,524 tonnes per day. Alert Level 2 remains in effect, prohibiting entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.

Philippines: Kanlaon Volcano Erupts 1,200-Meter Ash Plume, Alert Level 2 Maintained 2

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island erupted an ash plume reaching 1,200 meters on Thursday, April 9, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported. The activity is likely caused by pressure buildup from hydrothermal processes beneath the volcano. Twelve volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, and sulfur dioxide emissions were measured at 1,524 tonnes per day. Alert Level 2 remains in effect, prohibiting entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.

Philippines: Kanlaon Volcano Erupts 1,200-Meter Ash Plume, Alert Level 2 Maintained

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island erupted an ash plume reaching 1,200 meters on Thursday, April 9, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported. The activity is likely caused by pressure buildup from hydrothermal processes beneath the volcano. Twelve volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, and sulfur dioxide emissions were measured at 1,524 tonnes per day. Alert Level 2 remains in effect, prohibiting entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Photo taken on April 8, 2026, in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, shows the body of a Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city during World War II. A Japanese civic group salvaged the plane from the water 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Photo taken on April 8, 2026, in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, shows the body of a Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city during World War II. A Japanese civic group salvaged the plane from the water 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japan: Scaffold Collapse at JFE Steel Plant in Kawasaki Leaves Three Critical, One Missing

A scaffold approximately 40 meters high collapsed at JFE Steel's East Japan Works in Kawasaki City on Tuesday afternoon, April 7, causing five workers to fall. Three are unconscious and in critical condition, one is missing, and one remains conscious. Police are investigating possible professional negligence.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 6

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Japan: Illuminated Cherry Blossom Trees Line Iino River in Full Bloom in Aichi

On March 30, 2026, cherry blossom trees lining approximately 100 meters along the Iino River in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan were captured glowing under illumination as the flowers reached full bloom. The light-up event runs until April 5.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 5

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 4

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 3

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 2

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Greece: Plane Flies Through Haze Amid Saharan Dust Storm Over Crete

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert. This video shows an airplane in the haze apparently aborting its landing.

Japan: Giant Underground Pipe Shoots 13 Meters Above Ground in Osaka

On Wednesday, March 11, a large underground steel pipe suddenly protruded about 13 meters above the ground below the elevated Shin-Midosuji road in the Umeda district of Osaka, prompting traffic restrictions in the surrounding area. The cause of the incident remains under investigation and no injuries have been reported.

Giant pipe protrudes at construction site in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan, March 12 Kyodo - A photo taken on March 11, 2026, shows a giant cylindrical pipe protruding more than 10 meters above ground after emerging from a sewer construction site in the western Japan city of Osaka. (Kyodo)

Giant pipe protrudes at construction site in Osaka

Giant pipe protrudes at construction site in Osaka

A photo taken on March 11, 2026, shows a giant cylindrical pipe protruding more than 10 meters above ground after emerging from a sewer construction site in the western Japan city of Osaka.