Twenty-five individuals lost their lives in a fire that erupted on a foreign cargo vessel being repaired at a state-run shipyard in Qingdao, China, as per reports from state media. The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. local time at Qingdao Beihai shipyard during maintenance and inspection activities. Out of the 42 people on board, 12 were safely evacuated, while five sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment. The fire was successfully extinguished by early afternoon, confirmed state media sources.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged for intensified search and rescue operations, a prompt investigation, and the implementation of accountability measures in response to the tragic event, according to Xinhua. A photograph released by Xinhua depicted the vessel involved as the Ocean Melody. Ship-tracking data from LSEG identified it as a 20-year-old dry bulk carrier flying the flag of Liberia and managed by Yuyangkunpeng Shanghai Shp Mgm, with Huili Shipping Co. Ltd. listed as its registered owner.
The Ocean Melody arrived at the Qingdao shipyard on August 31 and has remained there since, based on LSEG records. The shipyard is under the management of state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), which is recognized as one of the world’s leading shipbuilders. CSSC is renowned as China’s primary naval shipbuilder and the largest manufacturer of ships and offshore equipment in the country.