Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Qingdao cargo ship fire kills 25 during repairs
A cargo ship called the Ocean Melody caught fire while being repaired in Qingdao, China.
The ship carried 42 people.
Seventeen people escaped, and five of them were hurt but stable.
The other 25 people were later found dead.
Early reports had said that 20 people had died and five were missing.
Firefighters put out the open flames around 2:30 p.m.
Officials, including President Xi Jinping, ordered rescue work and a safety investigation.
The reports did not say what caused the fire.
They also said officials should prevent more accidents from happening.
A fire aboard the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Melody killed 25 people in Qingdao, according to updated state-media reports.
The vessel was docked for maintenance at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding when the fire began on Thursday, September 10.
The blaze started at about 11:00–11:15 a.m. and open flames were extinguished by approximately 2:30 p.m.
Seventeen of the 42 people aboard were evacuated, including five who were injured; all 25 others were later found dead.
Chinese leaders ordered rescue operations, medical treatment for the injured, and investigations into fire hazards and responsibility.
- Who
- The 42 people aboard the Ocean Melody were affected; 25 died and 17 were evacuated, including five injured people. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang directed rescue and safety efforts.
- What
- A fire broke out on a docked cargo ship, killing 25 people and injuring five others.
- When
- The fire began on Thursday, September 10, at approximately 11:00–11:15 a.m.; open flames were extinguished around 2:30 p.m.
- Where
- The Ocean Melody was docked for maintenance at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
- Why
- The cause of the fire was not specified. Xi Jinping ordered officials to investigate and address fire hazards.
- Vessel
- Ocean Melody, a 190-meter bulk carrier
- Flag
- Liberia
- People aboard
- 42
- Deaths
- 25, according to the updated report
- Evacuated
- 17, including five injured people
- Location
- Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, Qingdao, China
- Fire response
- The open flames were extinguished at about 2:30 p.m.
