Crew reported missing as jet burns

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- A China Airlines jetliner burst into flames Monday morning at the Naha airport on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and some crew members were reported missing.

At least 157 passengers escaped, authorities said.

The Japanese Transport Ministry said "some sort of explosion" occurred on board the Boeing 737.

The airline was unable to account for up to eight crew members during a news conference, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. Two crew members were rescued, and two were trapped aboard the plane, the network reported cited fire officials as saying.

The plane arrived in Okinawa from Taipei at 10:31 a.m. local time and stopped on the tarmac three minutes later to evacuate passengers, the Transport Ministry said. At 10:35 a.m., the Naha Fire Department was called to the scene. E-mail to a friend

All About China Airlines Ltd. • Okinawa Prefecture