TOKYO, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were injured in an explosion that occurred on a ship docked at a quay at a cement plant in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka on Thursday morning, local media reported.
Three of the victims were seriously injured, but none of the injuries were life-threatening, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing police and fire authorities.
The explosion at the plant in the prefecture's town of Kanda occurred shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time, when a hatch of the vessel was opened. The seven people are believed to have suffered burns due to hot air from the blast, which did not lead to a fire, the report said.
The vessel, which is about 60 meters long and weighs 499 tons, was apparently loaded with earth, it added.
The authorities are investigating details of the explosion. ■
