The French nuclear safety body and local authorities say an explosion has rocked the Marcoule nuclear plant in southern France.

It was not immediately clear how serious the accident was, or whether there were any victims or the potential for leaks.

Evangelia Petit of the Agency for Nuclear Safety said Monday an explosion had taken place but declined to provide any further details. Officials in the Gard region confirmed Monday's explosion but also said they could not give any more information.

The Marcoule site is located in Langedoc Roussillon, in southern France, near the Mediterranean Sea.