At least 20 individuals were killed and five remain unaccounted for following a significant blaze that broke out on a cargo ship docked at a Chinese port, according to state media reports released Thursday.
The incident occurred at the port of Qingdao, a key shipping hub on the northeastern coast of China. The vessel, identified as the Ocean Melody, was in the area for repairs by Beihai Shipbuilding Co. The ship operates under a Liberian flag, as confirmed by the tracking website VesselFinder and an image released by Xinhua news agency.
Of the 42 people on board at the time of the fire, 12 were successfully evacuated. Five survivors were injured and transported to a hospital, where their conditions are currently described as stable, Xinhua reported.
The fire erupted around 11 a.m. local time and was brought under control by 2:30 p.m. While the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, a witness from a nearby residential complex told AFP that they observed thick smoke rising from the ship but did not hear any explosions or see open flames.
Chinese leadership responded swiftly to the disaster. President Xi Jinping issued urgent instructions to prioritize the rescue of those still missing, while Premier Li Qiang directed efforts to save anyone trapped within the structure. Xi also emphasized that accountability measures must be strictly enforced against those responsible for the incident.
No official explanation has been provided regarding the origin of the fire.
Only 12 people escaped from 42 on board? That survival rate is terrifyingly low for a docked vessel.
Is the port not supposed to have strict safety protocols? This raises serious questions about maritime fire regulations.
20 lives lost is simply heartbreaking. Sending thoughts to all families affected by this devastating tragedy.