OSAKA - An explosion at a metal processing factory in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Fukuoka injured a worker on Tuesday morning, local press reported.

The accident happened at round 8:20 am local time at the plant in Kitakyushu City of the prefecture, and the employee in his 20s was injured, according to the daily Asahi Shimbun.

The report said the explosion occurred immediately after the worker opened the cover of an electric heating furnace in the plant, adding that he was then carried to a hospital.

Local police and fire department are continuing to investigate details of the explosion.

The factory belongs to Toho Kinzoku Co., which engages in the manufacture and sale of tungsten, molybdenum, and other refractory metal products.