Captain missing, 7 rescued after Japanese oil tanker explodes

HIROSHIMA, Japan, May 29 (UPI) -- Japanese oil tanker Shoko Maru had an explosion occur three miles off the port of Himeji Thursday morning, causing a massive fire.

The coast guard said rescuers have found seven out of the eight-person crew. The 64-year-old captain is still missing. All seven rescued were transported to the hospital with four crew members sustaining serious injuries.

There is no major danger to other ships in the port and the coast guard is setting up an exclusion zone to prevent any future damage.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.