Fire on cargo ship at Qingdao shipyard leaves at least 20 dead
The bulk carrier 'Ocean Melody' was undergoing repairs when a fire broke out, leaving five people still missing.
Quick Look
- At least 20 people died and five are missing following a fire on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier 'Ocean Melody' at a shipyard in Qingdao, China.
- President Xi Jinping has ordered a search and rescue operation and a thorough investigation into the cause.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The vessel was undergoing repairs at the Beihai Shipbuilding Co facility in Qingdao. The ship is a 190-metre bulk carrier sailing under a Liberian flag.
At least 20 people were killed and five remain missing after a fire on a cargo vessel receiving repairs at a shipyard in the northeastern Chinese port city of Qingdao, state media reported on Thursday.
State broadcaster CCTV reported the vessel with 42 people on board caught fire at around 11:15 a.m. local time, and were extinguished around 2:30 p.m. (0630 UTC).
The ship was identified as the 190-metre (623-foot) long bulk carrier "Ocean Melody," which sails under a Liberian flag, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Cause remains unclear
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued has "important instructions" to conduct a search and rescue mission, while also calling for an investigation into anyone who could be responsible for the incident, Xinhua added.
Xi said that "all regions and relevant departments must draw profound lessons from this incident, thoroughly investigate and rectify all types of fire hazards".
It is currently unclear what could have caused the fire.
The vessel was undergoing repairs at Qingdao's Beihai Shipbuilding Co, part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), one of the world's largest shipbuilders.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Official investigation into fire safety hazards at the shipyard.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the specific cause of the fire?
- What is the current status of the five missing individuals?
