A huge fire erupted at a rocket testing station, sending flames and smoke soaring into the sky, in the latest mishap for the country’s ambitious space programme.
There were no reports of any injuries in the incident, which took place in a remote area of Kagoshima in the southern region yesterday, where a solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket was being tested.
Footage on national broadcaster NHK showed towering balls of fire and white fumes rising from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
Journalists stationed around 900m away reported a large explosion shortly after after the combustion test began at 8.30am local time.
“There was an abnormality during today’s combustion test.
“We are trying to assess what happened,” the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said in a statement.
“No injuries have been reported at this point.
“The cause of the fire is also under investigation,” the agency added. — AFP
