25 people killed in fire on cargo ship docked in China, state media reports

A cargo ship undergoing repairs at a Chinese port caught fire, resulting in 25 fatalities, according to Chinese state media reports on Thursday. The vessel, named Ocean Melody and registered to Liberia, was docked at the Beihai Shipbuilding Co. facility in Qingdao, a significant shipping center located on China's northeastern coast.

Out of the 42 people on board, 12 managed to escape safely, while five sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital, where they continue to recover in stable condition. The fire ignited around 11 a.m. and was brought under control by 2:30 p.m. local time.

Witnesses reported seeing thick smoke emanating from the ship, though no visible flames or explosions were heard. A resident from a neighboring compound stated, "I saw the smoke from the ship by chance, but there was no visible fire, and I didn't hear an explosion or smell anything." Chinese President Xi Jinping issued urgent directives for the rescue operation, while Premier Li Qiang called for a swift rescue of any trapped individuals.

Xi also emphasized the need to implement stringent preventive measures and prevent major and catastrophic accidents.

Beihai Shipbuilding operates under the state-controlled China State Shipbuilding Corporation, which is the world's largest shipbuilder. The company specializes in shipbuilding and ship repair services. Recent years have seen several major industrial accidents in China, many of which were attributed to lax safety regulations. In August, an explosion and subsequent fire at a shipyard in Fujian province claimed the lives of one worker and injured 12 others.

Earlier this year, a fire at a fireworks factory in central China resulted in the deaths of 37 people, marking one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.