Explosion at Japan SDF facility inside US Kadena Air Base, 4 injured
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An explosion at a Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) facility inside the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa left four people injured, according to officials.
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US F-35 Lightning II fighter jets are parked before taking off from the Kadena Air Base airfield in Kadena town, west of Okinawa, southern Japan, on August 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
An explosion occurred at a Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) facility located within the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, resulting in injuries to four individuals, even though none are reported to be life-threatening.
According to a spokesperson from Japan’s Ministry of Defense, reports were received regarding the incident inside the SDF premises at the military base in the southern Japanese region.
Citing unnamed sources within the defense ministry, public broadcaster NHK reported that the explosion may have taken place at a temporary storage site for unexploded bombs.
Authorities are working to confirm the exact circumstances of the blast.
Jiji Press and other Japanese media outlets also reported that four people were injured, but emphasized that the injuries did not pose a threat to their lives.
Meanwhile, Yuta Matsuda, a local official from Yomitan village in Okinawa, stated: "We've heard there was an explosion at the SDF facility and also heard there were injuries, but we don't have further details," according to AFP.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion and assess any further risks at the site.
