One seafarer was reported missing and another two were injured after a research ship suffered a blast and fire off Malaysia.

An engine room explosion was blamed for the blaze on the 1,050-dwt Geos (built 2009) on Tuesday, 10km off Kuala Baram.

Crew jumped into the sea from the ship, owned by Ageo Marine of Kuala Lumpur.

Rescuers picked up 38 crew from the water.

Local reports said Muhammad Hafiz Ismail, 36, had suffered 20% burns and Khairul Isma Ismail, 35, had sustained facial injuries.

The majority of the seafarers are Malaysian, but five are from Indonesia and one man is a Thai.

Tugs were trying to extinguish the flames. The blaze outside the vessel had been controlled, but there were still flames inside, authorities said.

The missing man is Malaysian.

Efforts to board the vessel were complicated by toxic gases.