Fire on cargo ship in China kills 20 people

A devastating fire broke out on a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked in the Chinese port city of Qingdao on Thursday, resulting in at least 20 deaths and five individuals still unaccounted for, according to state media. The bulk carrier, moored in the bustling eastern shipping hub, had 42 people on board when the fire ignited. CCTV reported that 17 survivors were evacuated, including those who sustained injuries, while five remain missing.

The flames were reportedly extinguished around 2:30pm local time. CCTV stated that the fire was first reported at approximately 11:15am that morning. The incident occurred while the ship, operated by Beihai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., underwent maintenance at the Qingdao port. President Xi Jinping urged for swift search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the importance of holding the responsible parties accountable.

A local witness reported seeing smoke emanating from the vessel but claimed there was no visible fire or explosion. The ship, identified as the Ocean Melody, is a 190-meter-long bulk carrier sailing under the Liberian flag. The Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding yard, a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, operates the port.

President Xi called for all regions and relevant departments to learn a "profound lesson" from the incident, urging a thorough investigation into the sources of potential fire hazards. Safety concerns have been a growing issue in China, with several major accidents in recent years attributed to lax regulations. In August, an explosion and fire at a shipyard in Fujian province claimed one life and injured 12 others.

Last November, a fire engulfed several high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, claiming 168 lives. In May, a fireworks factory explosion in central China resulted in 37 fatalities, one of the nation's deadliest industrial accidents in years. A fire in a shoe factory in eastern Fujian province in July left at least 28 people dead.