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Fire on Cargo Ship Kills 25 in Eastern China
Confirmed
In Short: At least 25 people died after a fire broke out on a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked for repairs in Qingdao, a major Chinese port.
At least 25 people have died after a fire on a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked for repairs in Qingdao, a major Chinese port, according to state media reports. The ship, identified as the Liberia-flagged Ocean Melody, caught fire at about 11:15 am local time while docked at the Beihai Shipbuilding Company in Qingdao, a key shipping hub on the northeastern coast of China.
The fire, which broke out while the ship was being repaired, caused significant loss of life. State news agency Xinhua reported that the incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into fire hazards and improved safety measures. China's Premier Li Qiang also urged the rescue of people trapped on board the ship.
The Ocean Melody, a bulk carrier, was docked for repairs at the port of Qingdao when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and it was not immediately known if the blaze had been extinguished. The incident comes just a month after a shipyard explosion in Fujian province killed a rescue worker and injured 12 others.
In response to the tragedy, Chinese authorities have called for a swift investigation into the cause of the fire and for prompt follow-up and victim support. The fire highlights ongoing safety concerns in China's port and shipbuilding industries.
What's confirmed
- At least 25 people have died after a fire on a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked for repairs in Qingdao, a major Chinese port, according to state media reports. The ship, identified as the Liberia-flagged Ocean Melody, caught fire at about 11:15 am local time while docked at the Beihai Shipbuilding Company in Qingdao, a key shipping hub on the northeastern coast of China.
- The fire, which broke out while the ship was being repaired, caused significant loss of life. State news agency Xinhua reported that the incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into fire hazards and improved safety measures. China's Premier Li Qiang also urged the rescue of people trapped on board the ship.
- The Ocean Melody, a bulk carrier, was docked for repairs at the port of Qingdao when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and it was not immediately known if the blaze had been extinguished. The incident comes just a month after a shipyard explosion in Fujian province killed a rescue worker and injured 12 others.
- In response to the tragedy, Chinese authorities have called for a swift investigation into the cause of the fire and for prompt follow-up and victim support. The fire highlights ongoing safety concerns in China's port and shipbuilding industries.
What's still developing
- A photo released by Xinhua identified the ship as the Ocean Melody, which sails under a Liberian flag, according to the public vessel-tracking website VesselFinder.
- An eyewitness told the AFP news agency there was thick smoke rising from the ship, but he heard no explosion.