25 Dead in Cargo Ship Fire at Qingdao Port

Ship Details

The vessel, the 190‑metre Ocean Melody flagged Liberia, was docked in Qingdao’s shipyard undergoing routine maintenance when a fire broke out at 11:15 local time. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after just over three hours.

Casualties and Evacuation

Of the 42 crew aboard, 25 perished. Seventeen were evacuated successfully, with five of them now in hospitals in stable condition.

Official Response

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an all‑out search‑and‑rescue effort, while Premier Li Qiang emphasized preventing secondary disasters such as gas leaks or structural collapse.

Broader Context

Qingdao, one of the world’s busiest ports, has dealt with a recent shipyard explosion in Fujian province that killed a rescue worker and injured 12 others. No explosion was reported at the Ocean Melody site.