

A screenshot shows SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, September 1, 2016. [Photo: Weibo.com]
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket exploded Thursday on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, but no injuries were reported, the California-based company said.
"SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today's static fire, there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload," the company said in a statement.
"Per standard procedure, the pad was clear and there were no injuries," said the statement.
The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing, which is responsible for public safety during launches from Cape Canaveral, tweeted that the explosion occurred at 9:07 a.m. EDT (1307 GMT) and that initial reports indicated no causalities and no threat to public safety.
Pictures of black smoke rising from the SpaceX launch complex were circulating on Twitter.
"The rocket is currently in flames," Robin Seemangal, a reporter with the Observer, tweeted. "Small explosions can be heard. The explosion occurred during a static test fire."
The Falcon 9 rocket was originally meant to launch an Israeli satellite this weekend.
Huangluo: China's 'long hair village'
Spectacular bridge with one of the tallest piers in the world
Magnificent view of Hukou Waterfall
A glimpse of Stride 2016 Zhurihe B military drill
US Navy chief tours Liaoning aircraft carrier
Chinese American woman wins Miss Michigan
Centenarian couple takes first wedding photos
Traditional Tibetan costumes presented during fashion show
How did ancient people escape the summer heat
Top 10 livable Chinese cities
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Geopolitical games shouldn’t divert China
Officials and workers sent to aid Tibet's development, boost unity
Big data study shows how online expression varies across China
Expats discuss the validity of security check measuresDay|Week