Cargo ship fire kills 20 in China, five missing
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
At least 20 people were killed and five others remained missing after a cargo ship caught fire while docked at a Chinese port, state media reported Thursday.
The vessel was docked for repairs at Beihai Shipbuilding Co. in Qingdao, a major shipping hub on China’s northeastern coast, when the fire broke out at around 11 a.m. local time.
The blaze was extinguished by 2:30 p.m., according to Xinhua news agency.
Xinhua identified the vessel as the Ocean Melody, which sails under a Liberian flag, according to vessel-tracking website VesselFinder.
12 evacuated safely
A total of 42 people were aboard the vessel when the fire started. Twelve were safely evacuated, while five others were injured and taken to hospital, Xinhua reported. The injured were in stable condition.
The fate of five missing people remained unclear as rescue efforts continued.
Xi orders urgent rescue
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued "important instructions" calling for urgent efforts to rescue those missing aboard the ship.
Premier Li Qiang also called for people trapped aboard the vessel to be rescued, according to Xinhua.
Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the fire.
