25 Dead After Fire Breaks Out On Cargo Ship Undergoing Repairs At China’s Qingdao Port

At least 25 people died after a fire broke out on a cargo ship flying a foreign flag at a shipyard in Qingdao, eastern China, Chinese state media reported.

The fire started at about 11:15 a.m. local time (0315 GMT) on Thursday, Sept. 10, while the ship was being repaired at Beihai Shipbuilding Company in Qingdao.

CCTV reported that the vessel was carrying 42 people, 17 of whom were evacuated.

Another state media report said 12 people were safely evacuated. Five people were taken to hospital and were in stable condition.

Per reports, the fire was extinguished three hours after it started.

The vessel was identified as the Ocean Melody, a 190-metre (623-foot) cargo ship flying the Liberian flag, in photos released by Chinese state media.

According to vessel-tracking information, the ship arrived in Qingdao on Aug. 31.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. An eyewitness said the ship was covered in thick smoke but reported hearing no explosion, AFP reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for rescue operations and ordered authorities to find out what caused the accident and hold those responsible.

Xi also told local governments and other departments to check for fire hazards and take steps to prevent major accidents.

Premier Li Qiang called for an immediate search for people who were trapped and for the injured to receive medical treatment. He also told authorities to prevent further accidents.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management sent a team to the site to help with the rescue work. Authorities in Shandong province also sent resources to the site.

Qingdao is a major trading and shipping hub and is among the world’s busiest ports.

The fire happened nearly a month after an explosion at a shipyard in Fujian, southeastern China killed one rescue worker and injured 12 others.

References: BBC, Al Jazeera