A catastrophic fire aboard the Ocean Melody, a 190-meter Liberia-flagged cargo ship, has resulted in the deaths of 25 people at a shipyard in Qingdao, China. According to reports from the state-run CCTV, the blaze erupted at approximately 11:15 local time while the vessel was undergoing maintenance.
Of the 42 individuals on board, only 17 were successfully evacuated, with five currently hospitalized in stable condition. While the fire was extinguished within three hours, the incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding industrial safety in China's major trading hubs.
The Ocean Melody had arrived in the port city on August 31, and while an eyewitness reported thick smoke, no explosions were noted. This tragedy follows another deadly industrial accident just last month in Fujian province, where a shipyard explosion claimed the life of a rescue worker.
As Chinese officials call for rescue efforts and investigations, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with the massive, high-volume operations at key global maritime ports.
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