A Chinese diver was injured following an underwater explosion while working for the Sewol ferry recovery operation off the southwest coast of the country, officials said Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the 43-year-old Chinese diver fainted when a sudden blast took place in the nose of the 6,825-ton ship on Monday evening while he was participating in a propeller-cutting operation.

The diver was immediately pulled to the surface by a colleague and moved to the hospital. He is in stable condition, but reportedly suffering from peritonitis and body muscle pain resulting from decompression.

The blast is suspected to have occurred due to the combination of sparks and air that was being used for the propeller-cutting job.

A consortium led by Chinese state-run company Shanghai Salvage has been leading the ship recovery work since August.

Over 100 Chinese divers and workers are currently carrying out preparations for the actual recovery of the ship, with an aim to pull the ferry out of the water no later than June next year.

A total of 304 passengers died in the Sewol tragedy in April last year, with nine still missing.

The ministry said the diver could choose to return to work or go back to China upon treatment.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)