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At least 20 people were killed after a fire broke out on a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing maintenance at a shipyard in China’s eastern port city of Qingdao, according to Chinese state media. The fire erupted at around 11:15 am local time on Thursday at the Beihai Shipbuilding Co. yard in Qingdao, Shandong province, Xinhua reported. In August, an explosion and subsequent fire at a shipyard in Fujian province killed one fire and rescue worker and injured 12 others, state media reported.
Chinese authorities launched an urgent search and rescue operation following the incident.
“A foreign cargo ship of Beihai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Qingdao, Shandong Province, caught fire during its port call for maintenance, causing heavy casualties,” Xinhua said. Xinhua said he “stressed the need to urgently search for missing persons… and strictly hold those responsible to account”. Premier Li Qiang called for the rescue of “trapped” people and urged authorities to ensure injured people received medical treatment.
The agency did not initially provide details on the cause of the fire or the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Some people were also feared trapped or missing on board. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an urgent search for missing people and accountability for those responsible.