Chinese Port Fire: 20 Dead After Cargo Ship Ocean Melody Bursts Into Flames
At least 20 people have died and five others remain missing after a fire broke out aboard an international cargo ship docked for repairs at a major port in eastern China, state media reported on Thursday. Emergency services evacuated 12 people safely from the vessel following the incident.
At least 20 people have died and five others remain missing after a fire broke out aboard an international cargo ship docked for repairs at a major port in eastern China, state media reported on Thursday. Emergency services evacuated 12 people safely from the vessel following the incident.
The blaze broke out aboard the Liberian-flagged container ship Ocean Melody, which was docked at the Beihai Shipbuilding yard within the Qingdao port complex, according to reports by the official Xinhua News Agency citing maritime authorities. A total of 42 people were onboard at the time the fire started. China Fire: 5 Killed, 2Injured After Massive Blaze at Residential Building in Hunan Province.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued urgent directives calling for all-out rescue operations to locate the missing crew members and workers, while instructing local authorities to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the disaster.
Search and rescue personnel, including specialized marine firefighting units, were immediately deployed to stabilize the vessel and extinguish the remaining flames. Search efforts in the surrounding waters and affected compartments of the ship remain ongoing for the five uncounted individuals. China Fire Videos: Injuries Feared As Massize Blaze Triggers Explosions at Factory in Guangdong Province, Search and Rescue Operations Underway.
Chinese Port Fire
🚨BREAKING🚨:🚨 20 DEAD AFTER CARGO SHIP FIRE IN CHINA 🇨🇳
At least 20 people have died and five remain missing after a fire broke out aboard the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Ocean Melody at a shipyard in Qingdao, Chinese state media report. Twelve people were safely evacuated. pic.twitter.com/wDZNaLd8XA
— TheIndependent (@WeIndependent0) September 10, 2026
The port of Qingdao, located on China's northeastern coast, is one of the world’s busiest shipping hubs, handling significant volumes of international maritime freight and routine ship repair operations. Further details regarding the nationality of the crew members or the specific origin of the fire have not yet been released.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2026 04:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
