ANKARA

At least four members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) were injured Monday in an explosion at the US military's Kadena Air Base in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, local media reported, citing the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The blast occurred while the JSDF personnel were preparing to carry out bomb disposal operations, causing those in close proximity to suffer finger lacerations and possible hearing damage, Kyodo News Agency reported.

The blast appears to have occurred at a JSDF storage facility for unexploded bombs in the ammunition depot area of the base, the news agency cited an unnamed Defense Ministry source.

There was no immediate word on what caused the explosion.

No evacuation order has been issued for nearby residents, as there is no risk of further explosions or fire, according to local officials.

Okinawa is home to the bulk of US military facilities in Japan.

*Writing by Aamir Latif