Two Self-Defense Forces members were killed and another was seriously injured after being shot by a trainee member with a rifle at an Self-Defense Force (SDF) firing range in Gifu, central Japan on Wednesday, Japanese authorities said.

The 18-year-old male Ground Self-Defense Force trainee was arrested at the site for alleged attempted murder following the incident that occurred during an exercise at the GSDF facility. He has admitted to the shooting, police said, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency.

The GSDF will hold a press conference later in the day in Tokyo.

The three men, two in their 20s and one in his 50s, were taken to hospital after being shot, according to local firefighters.

The firing range is about five kilometers northeast of JR Gifu Station. There were no reports of civilian casualties in the incident.

Source: Qatar News Agency