Fire breaks out on MSDF minesweeper near Fukuoka in southwestern Japan

TOKYO, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out Sunday morning on a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper vessel off the coast of southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka, local media reported.

The blaze broke out in the engine room at around 9:40 a.m. local time on the minesweeper Ukushima, which was sailing about 2 kilometers north of Oshima in Munakata city, Fukuoka Prefecture, public broadcaster NHK