In brief
The 190‑metre Liberty‑flagged vessel Ocean Melody caught fire at Qingdao shipyard while undergoing maintenance, killing 25 of the 42 crew. Seventeen were evacuated; five are hospitalized. The blaze lasted slightly over three hours before being extinguished. Chinese leaders urged extensive search‑and‑rescue and control of secondary risks. The incident follows a recent shipyard explosion that killed a rescue worker and injured others in South‑East China.
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.
