At least 20 dead and 5 missing after cargo ship catches fire in Chinese port, state media says

Deadly Fire Strikes Cargo Ship Under Repair at Qingdao Port

Sandego.net – A fire aboard a cargo ship undergoing repairs at a major Chinese port has left at least 20 people dead, with five others still unaccounted for.

The incident took place Thursday at Beihai Shipbuilding Co. in Qingdao, an important shipping center on China’s northeastern coast. The vessel was docked for repair work when the blaze began at about 11 a.m. local time.

Emergency crews brought the fire under control by approximately 2:30 p.m., but rescue operations continued for those missing after the incident. A total of 42 people were on board when the fire broke out.

Evacuations and injuries

Twelve people were evacuated safely from the ship. Five injured people were transported to hospital, where they remained in stable condition.

The number of people killed and missing illustrates the severity of the emergency aboard the vessel, where repair activity was taking place while it was moored. Authorities have focused on locating the five people who had not been found following the fire.

A photograph released after the incident identified the ship as the Ocean Melody. Vessel tracking information lists the cargo ship as sailing under Liberia’s flag.

National leaders call for rescue efforts

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued what were described as “important instructions” calling for an urgent effort to rescue people still missing on the vessel.

“Important instructions”

Premier Li Qiang also called for rescuers to reach people who remained trapped.

“Trapped”

The response has centered on both the immediate search and the care of those who survived the blaze. The stable condition of the hospitalized injured people offered a measure of reassurance as authorities continued to deal with the broader consequences of the disaster.

A major port affected by a shipboard emergency

Qingdao is a significant maritime hub, making safety incidents at its port facilities a matter of particular concern. Cargo ships can bring together crews, repair workers and technical teams in confined spaces, especially when vessels are undergoing maintenance at dock.

The fire’s duration, from late morning until mid-afternoon, underlined the challenge faced by emergency personnel. Bringing a shipboard fire under control can require access to areas that are difficult to reach, while conditions inside a vessel may change quickly as smoke and heat spread.

No cause of the fire was provided in the available information. Details surrounding how the blaze began, the nature of the repair work being performed and the identities of those killed or missing were not immediately released.

For families of those aboard, the search for the five missing people remained the most urgent issue after the flames were extinguished. The death toll also marked a devastating outcome for the workers and crew members connected to the vessel.

Focus remains on rescue and recovery

With 20 deaths confirmed, the incident stands as a serious maritime and industrial emergency at the Qingdao port. The fate of the missing people may affect the final toll, while investigators will likely need to establish the circumstances that led to the fire during the repair period.

Officials have emphasized the need to continue rescue work without delay. The immediate priorities are locating the missing, supporting the injured and clarifying the events that unfolded aboard the Ocean Melody.

The fire has drawn attention to the risks that can arise when a ship is in port for maintenance, even when it is not at sea. As rescue and recovery efforts proceed, the human impact remains at the center of the tragedy: 42 people were aboard, 12 reached safety, five were injured, at least 20 died and five remained missing.