At least 25 people were killed Thursday after a fire broke out on a cargo ship undergoing repairs at a port in Qingdao, a major city on China’s northeastern coast, Chinese state media reported.
The vessel was docked at the Qingdao port, one of China’s busiest maritime gateways, where Beihai Shipbuilding Co. was carrying out repair work when flames erupted at about 11:15 a.m. local time, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Xinhua said 42 people were aboard the ship when the fire started. Twelve were rescued safely, while five others suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital, where officials said they were in stable condition.
A photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows the cargo ship after it caught fire at a port in Qingdao, in east China’s Shandong Province, on Sept. 10, 2026. (Li Aoqiu/Xinhua via AP)
Images distributed by Xinhua named the vessel as the Ocean Melody. VesselFinder, a ship-tracking service, lists the cargo ship as sailing under the Liberian flag.
The Associated Press reported that firefighters brought the blaze under control at around 2:30 p.m., slightly more than three hours after it began. Videos circulating online showed thick white smoke rising from the ship.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. An investigation is underway into how the blaze began while the cargo vessel was being repaired.
In another image released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters and crew members are seen gathered near the burning cargo ship on Sept. 10, 2026. (Li Aoqiu/Xinhua via AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged officials to step up assistance for those affected by the deadly ship fire, Xinhua reported. Premier Li Qiang also emphasized the need to rescue any people who remained trapped.
Xi further called for stronger enforcement of safety precautions, saying preventive measures must be fully carried out to “resolutely prevent major and catastrophic accidents.”
An aerial view shows the illuminated Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal at night on Sept. 6, 2026, in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
Beihai Shipbuilding operates under the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, widely regarded as the world’s largest shipbuilder. The company’s website says its core operations include building vessels and carrying out ship repairs.
Qingdao, in China’s Shandong province, is one of the country’s busiest ports and a major center for shipbuilding, shipping and international trade. The port handles millions of containers each year and is home to several large shipyards.
