Fire on Japanese Warship: Crew Member Missing

A fire on the Japanese warship Ukushima, sailing near western Japan, resulted in one crew member hospitalized and another missing. The fire, originating in the engine room, prompted evacuation efforts and could potentially sink the vessel if not extinguished promptly.

In a dramatic turn of events, a fire erupted on the Japanese warship Ukushima, which was navigating the waters near the western part of the country. The incident led to one crew member being hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, while another is currently unaccounted for, according to Japan's navy on Sunday.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) reported that the minesweeper was off the coast north of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu when the fire broke out at approximately 9:40 a.m. local time. Admiral Akira Saito confirmed that efforts to battle the blaze continued late into the evening, with most crew members evacuating to another ship following the onset of the fire.

Originating within the engine room, the fire was accompanied by several explosive sounds. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Ukushima remains at risk of sinking if the fire prevails. Admiral Saito pledged a rigorous search and firefighting operation to find the missing crew member and quell the fire.

(With inputs from agencies.)