A powerful blast has struck a chemical factory in central Japan, killing at least five and leaving 17 injured.

At least five people were killed and 10 injured following the explosion at the Mitsubishi Materials complex in Yokkaichi City, police said.

The incident happened at a chemical plant owned by Mitsubishi in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. The factory produces silicon materials for the international firm.

Maintenance crews were said to have triggered the suspected hydrogen blast while working on heat exchange equipment used in the production of silicon products.

Ranko Hirai, a spokeswoman at Mitsubishi Materials said: “We confirmed that there was an explosion at our plant in Yokkaichi, where we produce silicon materials.”

Japanese Broadcaster NHK reported that at least five people had died in the blast at the Mitsubishi Materials Corp chemicals plant. The local fire department said they could not confirm any casualties, but did tell Reuters that 17 people had been injured, five of them seriously.

Maintenance of a heat exchanger used in the production of silicon products was reportedly being carried out when the blast occurred.

Police say the blast did not cause a fire to break out in the building and the situation is now under control.

Mitsubishi Materials makes a wide range of products including car parts, silicon wafers for memory chips used in consumer electronics and cement for road and bridge construction.

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