A mass exodus of people from Miyake Island continued Sunday amid fears that a major eruption could hit the volcanic island south of Tokyo, and local officials put up concrete shelters for those remaining.
As of Sunday, 1,328 islanders had left the island, leaving less than two-thirds of the local residents, Miyake village officials said.
There were some witness reports of black smoke in the morning, although a local meteorological station has yet to confirm them.
Local officials said they have 18 concrete shelters for those remaining on the island.
A tally of voluntary evacuees from the island, which has a population of roughly 3,850, was commenced Aug. 19, the day after the largest eruption of Mount Oyama since volcanic activity began July 8.
Village authorities decided that all elementary and junior high school students should be evacuated for about a month. Local officials are consulting with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to find ways to continue classes.
Many of the students evacuating the island are expected to stay with their teachers at public Akikawa High School in Akiruno, Tokyo.
A majority of the students' parents have said that they want to have their children stay at the high school, which has dormitories.
Along with 344 students, 106 teachers and school officials will be staying at the dormitories, according to local officials.
In addition to the high school in Akiruno, the metropolitan government said it has secured 44 apartments at prefectural housing facilities where families with children in elementary and junior high schools will be allowed to stay.