Japan's Navy reported that a fire broke out on Sunday on a Japanese Warship near the west of the country. One crew member was hospitalised because of smoke installations, and another went missing.

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force said that the Ukushima minesweeper was sailing north of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu at the time of the fire. It happened around 9:40 a.m. (0040 GMT) local time.

Later, Admiral Akira Saito said that firefighting efforts continued as of 8:30 pm (1130 GMT), after the crew except for one member was evacuated.

Saito, chief of the JMSDF staff, said at a press briefing that the fire started in Ukushima’s engine room. Multiple explosive sounds were heard. The cause is being investigated.

The minesweeper is on its way to Kyushu's southeastern region for mine warfare exercises next week.

Saito warned that Ukushima could sink if fire continues to burn. He added that the JMSDF had never lost a warship due to fire.

He said, "We will do our best to put out the fire and find the missing member of the crew." Reporting by Kevin Buckland, Kantaro Koiya and Barbara Lewis; Editing by Raju Gopikrishnan.

(source: Reuters)