China Cargo Ship Fire: 25 Dead After Blaze at Qingdao Shipyard
The vessel, identified as the Ocean Melody, was docked at Beihai Shipbuilding when the fire broke out Thursday morning. A total of 42 people were reportedly aboard the ship at the time of the incident.
Siddhaanth Raghav
China Cargo Ship Fire: 25 Dead After Blaze at Qingdao Shipyard
BEIJING, September 10, 2026 — A major fire aboard a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing repairs at a shipyard in **Qingdao, China**, has killed at least 25 people, according to Chinese state media and international reports.
The vessel, identified as the Ocean Melody, was docked at Beihai Shipbuilding when the fire broke out Thursday morning. A total of 42 people were reportedly aboard the ship at the time of the incident.
Fire Breaks Out During Repairs
The blaze began at approximately 11 a.m. local time while the vessel was undergoing maintenance at Beihai Shipbuilding in Qingdao, a major port city on China's northeastern coast.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before reporting that it had been extinguished at around 2:30 p.m. The circumstances surrounding the start of the fire remain under investigation.
The Ocean Melody sails under the Liberian flag, according to reports identifying the vessel through photographs released by China's Xinhua news agency.
25 People Reportedly Killed
The latest reports say 25 people died in the incident, while 12 people were safely evacuated and five others were taken to hospital with injuries. The injured were reported to be in stable condition.
Earlier reports had put the death toll at 20, with five people missing. The changing casualty figures reflect the ongoing rescue and recovery operation as authorities work to account for everyone who was aboard the vessel.
Xi Jinping Orders Rescue and Investigation
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued instructions calling for urgent efforts to rescue anyone who remained unaccounted for and for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Premier Li Qiang also called for emergency assistance for those affected and emphasized measures to prevent further hazards following the fire
Authorities are expected to investigate how the fire began and whether any safety procedures were breached during the ship's maintenance work.
Incident Raises Shipyard Safety Questions
The fire has renewed attention on safety risks associated with ship-repair operations, where welding, machinery maintenance and other industrial activities can create hazardous working conditions.
Beihai Shipbuilding is part of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups. The company is involved in ship construction and repair activities.
Officials have not yet released a definitive explanation for the cause of the blaze.
Rescue and Investigation Continue
Emergency personnel have completed the main firefighting operation, but authorities continue to assess the vessel and surrounding shipyard area.
The investigation will focus on the circumstances that led to the fire, the safety conditions aboard the vessel and whether the appropriate emergency procedures were followed.
The Qingdao incident is likely to prompt further scrutiny of safety standards at major Chinese shipyards, particularly when foreign-flagged vessels are undergoing maintenance.
As authorities continue their investigation, additional details about the victims, the circumstances of the fire and potential responsibility are expected to emerge.
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