Several people have been killed in an explosion at a chemical factory in central Japan, according to reports.

At least five people were killed and 17 injured following the explosion at the Mitsubishi Materials complex in Yokkaichi City, police said.

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".

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.