Chinese state media said a repair-dock fire at a Qingdao shipyard killed 25 people.
Why it matters: The blaze hit a major state-owned shipyard in one of China's key shipbuilding hubs. The confirmed facts point to an industrial-safety incident tied to ship repair operations, with the vessel identity still reported indirectly.
- Chinese state media said 25 of the 42 people on board died in the Sept. 10 fire.
- The fire broke out around 11:15 a.m. local time at CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in Qingdao, Shandong province.
- State media said the blaze was extinguished around 2:30 p.m. local time.
- AP reported the vessel was the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Melody, citing a Xinhua photo and vessel-tracking data.
Chinese state media said a cargo ship caught fire on Sept. 10 while docked for repairs at CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in Qingdao.
State media said 25 of the 42 people on board died, while 12 evacuated safely and 5 were hospitalized. The fire began at about 11:15 a.m. local time and was extinguished around 2:30 p.m. local time.
The Associated Press reported that the vessel was the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Melody, based on a Xinhua photo and vessel-tracking data. That identification was not confirmed in the material by an official statement naming the ship. AP and the South China Morning Post both said the ship was being repaired at the state-owned Qingdao Beihai shipyard.
SCMP reported that President Xi Jinping ordered search-and-rescue efforts and called for a swift investigation and tighter accident prevention after the blaze. The cause of the fire has not been reported in the sourced material.
By the numbers
- 25 - People Chinese state media said died in the fire.
- 42 - Total people on board, according to Chinese state media.
- 2:30 p.m. local time - When state media said the blaze was extinguished.
Yes, but: The vessel name remains indirectly reported in the available material and is attributed to AP rather than an official statement.
What's next: Authorities have not yet reported the cause of the fire in the sourced material.