BEIJING (Web Desk) – At least 25 people were killed and five others injured after a fire broke out aboard a cargo ship undergoing repairs at a major shipyard in the Chinese port city of Qingdao on Thursday, according to Chinese state media.
The blaze erupted aboard a vessel being repaired at Beihai Shipbuilding Co., located at the Port of Qingdao on China’s northeastern coast.
China’s state-run Xinhua news agency identified the vessel as the Ocean Melody. Ship-tracking information cited in reports showed that the cargo vessel sails under the Liberian flag.
According to Xinhua, 42 people were aboard the vessel when the incident occurred. Twelve people were safely evacuated, while five injured workers were taken to hospital.
Authorities said the injured were in stable condition. The fire reportedly started at around 11 a.m. local time and firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by approximately 2:30 p.m.
Videos circulating online appeared to show workers attempting to battle the flames aboard the vessel as emergency operations continued at the shipyard.
Xi Jinping orders urgent rescue efforts
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued instructions calling for urgent efforts to rescue people reported missing or trapped following the accident, according to Xinhua.
Premier Li Qiang also called for every effort to rescue those trapped aboard the vessel and deal with the aftermath of the incident.
Xi ordered authorities to strengthen safety measures and ensure preventive requirements were fully implemented to avoid major industrial accidents. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear from the initial reports.
Major Chinese shipbuilding facility
Beihai Shipbuilding operates under the state-controlled China State Shipbuilding Corporation, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups. The Qingdao-based company is involved in both ship construction and repair operations. The deadly fire is expected to prompt scrutiny of workplace and shipyard safety procedures, particularly during repair operations where welding, electrical work and other industrial activities can pose fire hazards. Authorities had not immediately released further details about the nationalities of those killed or injured or the extent of damage sustained by the Ocean Melody.
