At least five people were killed and 12 others were injured in an explosion at a chemical factory in central Japan on Thursday.
The blast occurred in the afternoon at the plant run by Mitsubishi Materials in Yokkaichi city, Mie prefecture.
According to officials, the blast took place when maintenance crews were cleaning out a heat exchanger used in the production of silicon products.
Five maintenance workers were killed on the spot in the explosion.
The cause of the explosion has not been ascertained as yet but according to media reports, the plant manufactures polymers and uses a number of highly-volatile chemicals including hydrogen and chlorine.
Mitsubishi Materials is a division of the huge Mitsubishi Corporation which makes a range of automotive, electronics, and construction and engineering products.
