World heritage site on fire in Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture

首里城正殿で火事です。 #首里城 pic.twitter.com/Ym8ibkY1vZ

— 琉球新報 (@ryukyushimpo) October 30, 2019

MOSCOW (Oct 31): The landmark Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, has caught fire on Thursday, local media reported, adding that the authorities were working to control the fire.

Sputnik news agency quoted the Kyodo news agency report saying that the blaze broke out at the site, located in the city of Naha, shortly before 02.40am on Thursday (17:40 GMT on Friday).

The authorities dispatched more than 10 fire engines to the site, the reports added, citing the local fire department.

There have been no immediate reports about casualties provoked by the blaze. The police are working to determine the causes behind the fire.

The castle is part of a complex of monuments and buildings representing the history of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, which existed on the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th-19th century.

The popular tourist site was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.