Fukuoka: A fire broke out Sunday morning on a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper vessel off the coast of the southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka, local media reported. The blaze erupted in the engine room at around 9:40 a.m. local time on the minesweeper Ukushima, which was sailing approximately 2 kilometers north of Oshima in Munakata city, Fukuoka Prefecture, public broadcaster NHK said, citing the MSDF and other authorities.
According to Namibia Press Agency, one crew member who remained in the engine room had inhaled smoke and complained of a sore throat. He was transported to a fishing port in Munakata city, where he was handed over to an ambulance. As of 2:20 p.m. local time, NHK footage depicted grey smoke rising from one of the two funnels at the rear of Ukushima.
The MSDF and the Japan Coast Guard are collaborating to extinguish the fire and are conducting an investigation into the incident. Minesweepers, including Ukushima, are tasked with removing mines laid in the sea, and th
e vessel had about 40 crew members on board.