News Desk: At least 20 people were killed and five others remained missing after a fire broke out aboard a cargo ship undergoing repairs at a shipyard in Qingdao, eastern China, on Thursday. The vessel, identified as the Ocean Melody, was docked at Beihai Shipbuilding Co. when the blaze erupted during repair and maintenance work. The ship is a foreign-flagged dry bulk carrier sailing under the Liberian flag. According to Chinese state media, 42 people were aboard the vessel when the fire broke out at around 11:15 am local time. Twelve people were safely evacuated, while five injured persons were taken to hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.
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Emergency crews battled the flames for several hours, with the fire reportedly brought under control by around 2:30 pm. Search and rescue operations continued for those still unaccounted for. Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to intensify rescue efforts and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Premier Li Qiang also called for efforts to rescue trapped or missing people, provide medical assistance to the injured and prevent secondary accidents.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blaze, including safety procedures followed during the ship’s repair work. Beihai Shipbuilding is part of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding companies.
