At least 20 killed in cargo ship fire at Qingdao port
Five people are missing and 12 were evacuated after a blaze aboard a vessel undergoing repairs at Qingdao Beihai shipyard.
At least 20 people have died and five are listed as missing after a fire broke out on a foreign cargo ship at the Chinese port of Qingdao.
There were 42 people on board when the blaze started; 12 were evacuated and five were taken to hospital in stable condition. Chinese media reported the vessel was undergoing repairs at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard.
Chinese authorities order search and investigation
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an urgent, comprehensive search-and-rescue operation following the accident and ordered a swift investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Rescue teams have been deployed to the scene while local authorities continue recovery efforts. Officials have not yet released further details about the origin of the blaze or the identity and nationality of those on board.
The incident has prompted official instructions to speed up both rescue work and the inquiry into what started the fire.
Photo: press material from the event
