Japanese Navy Minesweeper Catches Fire, One Injured: Report

An official from the Maritime Self-Defense Force said that the minesweeper "Ukushima" was sailing off the coast of Fukuoka Prefecture at around 9:40 a.m. when the fire occurred, but said the location and cause was still being determined.

Footage on NHK showed black smoke billowing out from the center of the ship at around 2:30 p.m.

According to NHK, the fire started in the engine room, where one crew member became stranded, citing the Japan Coast Guard. The Maritime Self-Defense Force spokesman was not able to confirm the information, and calls to the Coast Guard on the weekend were unanswered, the report added.