[meteorite-list] Mysterious Blast Rocks Japan

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:22:40 2004
Message-ID: <200306171620.JAA23027_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20030617p2a00m0dm013000c.html

Mysterious blast rocks Chiba, Ibaraki prefectures
Mainichi Shimbun (Japan)
June 17, 2003

MITO -- Scores of reports of a mysterious explosion were received
from southeastern Ibaraki Prefecture and northeastern Chiba
Prefecture late Monday night, police said Tuesday.

No explosions or problems with aircraft have been confirmed as
having occurred in the area, and no injuries were reported.

Experts have speculated a falling meteor could have caused the loud
explosion, but investigators continue looking into the case.

Police said 60 of the 80 reports of the noise came from Ibaraki
Prefecture, including one person who claimed to have seen a flashing
blue light traveling from west to east in the sky.

Ibaraki Prefectural Police headquarters officials said transportation
and meteorology authorities had confirmed there had been no
reported cases of problems with airplanes or the weather.

Narita Airport officials confirmed there had been no troubles at
Japan's largest gateway to the world.

Chiba meteorological officials also reported things had been quiet all
night. The blast occurred just after 10 p.m.
Received on Tue 17 Jun 2003 12:20:38 PM PDT