At least 25 people have died after a fire broke out on a cargo ship in the port of Qingdao in eastern China. President Xi Jinping has called for urgent search and rescue efforts.
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Key facts
- A fire broke out on a cargo ship docked in the port of Qingdao, eastern China.
- State media report at least 25 people were killed.
- Of the 42 people on board, 17 were evacuated, according to CCTV.
- Al Jazeera reports the ship was being repaired at the time.
- President Xi Jinping called for urgent search and rescue efforts.
At least 25 people have been killed after a fire broke out on a cargo ship in the eastern Chinese port of Qingdao, according to state media reports.
There were 42 people on board when the blaze started, and 17 of them were evacuated, CCTV reported. Earlier reports had put the death toll lower, with Sky News saying at least 20 people had been killed and five were missing, citing state media.
According to Al Jazeera, the fire broke out on a ship that was being repaired at the port. Al Jazeera and the BBC both placed the death toll at 25 as reports developed through the day.
The number of casualties rose over the course of the reporting. The BBC initially reported “significant casualties” before figures were confirmed, and later updated the toll to 25 dead.
President Xi Jinping has called for urgent search and rescue efforts, according to the BBC. The full circumstances of the fire, including its cause, have not been detailed in the available reports.
Details remain limited as the situation continues to be reported by Chinese state media and international outlets.
Why it matters
Maritime and port fires can cause rapid loss of life, and this incident underscores the dangers faced by crews and repair workers aboard vessels. The involvement of China's top leadership signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the disaster.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Qingdao cargo ship fire?
State media report at least 25 people were killed. Earlier reports had put the toll at around 20 with five missing.
How many people were on board and how many were rescued?
There were 42 people on board, and 17 were evacuated, according to CCTV.
Where did the fire happen?
The fire broke out on a cargo ship in the port of Qingdao in eastern China. Al Jazeera reports the ship was being repaired at the time.
Timeline
- At least 25 dead after cargo ship catches fire in China
Al Jazeera: Fire breaks out on ship being repaired in the port of Qingdao, eastern China.
- Twenty-five dead after fire on cargo ship in eastern China
BBC World: Of the 42 people on board, 17 were were evacuated, CCTV reports.
- At least 20 dead after fire on cargo ship in eastern China, state media report
BBC World: President Xi Jinping has called for urgent search and rescue efforts.
- At least 20 people killed after fire breaks out on cargo ship in China port
Sky News: At least 20 people have been killed and five are missing after a cargo ship caught fire while docked in a China port, state media has said.
- 'Significant casualties' after fire on cargo ship in eastern China
BBC World: President Xi Jinping has called for urgent search and rescue efforts.