One crew member was lost and the other was injured in a fire on a Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper sailing near southwestern Japan.

MSDF officials said the fire broke out on the minesweeper Ukushima at about 9:40 a.m. Sunday, about two kilometers north of Oshima island in Munakata City in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Authorities say 33-year-old Petty Officer Third Class Koga Tatsunori remains missing. Another crew member in his 20s was taken to hospital and his condition was not considered life-threatening, they said.

The two were on duty in the engine room at the time of the fire.

Authorities stated that the fire could not be extinguished as of 19:00 and that fire fighting and rescue efforts were continuing. They add that the Maritime Personnel Office has established a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.

Minesweepers are ships designed to clear sea mines. Ukushima’s hull is made of wood to prevent explosions from magnetic reactions with mines.

Ukushima is said to have been carrying approximately 45 SDF members from a base in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and was heading towards Shibushi Port in Kagoshima Prefecture while conducting an exercise.

The fire left Ukushima unable to move on its own. Its crew was evacuated to other ships.