At least 20 people have died and five remain missing after a cargo ship caught fire while docked at a shipbuilding facility in China’s Qingdao port, according to Chinese state media.
The vessel was undergoing repairs at Beihai Shipbuilding Co. when the fire broke out at around 11 a.m. on Thursday. The blaze was brought under control by 2:30 p.m. local time.
Xinhua identified the ship as the Ocean Melody, which sails under the Liberian flag, according to vessel tracking website VesselFinder.
A total of 42 people were aboard the ship. Twelve were safely evacuated, while five others were injured and taken to hospital. Their condition was reported to be stable.
The incident prompted urgent rescue efforts, with China’s President Xi Jinping issuing “important instructions” to locate and rescue those still missing.
Premier Li Qiang also called for “trapped” people aboard the vessel to be rescued, Xinhua reported.
The authorities are continuing rescue operations following the deadly fire at the major northeastern Chinese shipping hub.
