AKIPRESS.COM - An oil tanker ship exploded off the coast of western Japan today after delivering its cargo, injuring three crew members seriously and leaving one missing.

The 998-ton Shoko Maru burst into flames while being cleaned off the coast of Hyogo prefecture at about 9:25 a.m., a spokeswoman for Syoho Shipping Co. said by telephone to Bloomberg. 

The woman asked that her name not be used, saying she wasn’t authorized by the closely held company to speak on the matter.

The Japan Coast Guard is searching for the missing crew member.