An explosion followed by a spectacular fire left at least 21 injured Sunday on board an American military ship at a naval base in California, according to authorities and local media.
American television channels showed thick smoke rising from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, which was docked at the Naval Base San Diego, its home port, for maintenance. All around, fire boats fought the fire with their water cannons.
160 sailors on board
The explosion, the causes of which remain unknown, occurred while 160 sailors were on board the vessel. According to the US naval forces, 17 sailors and four civilians were slightly injured and taken to hospital. Several firefighters also suffered burns and inhaled smoke, media reports said.
The fire could continue "for days" and the ship could burn "to the waterline," San Diego fire chief Colin Stowell told CNN.