Maritime disaster in China: cargo ship catches fire – 20 people killed

At least 20 people were killed and five are missing after the cargo ship "Ocean Melody" caught fire at the port of Qingdao, China. The vessel, sailing under the Liberian flag, was docked for repairs. 42 people were on board, 12 were rescued safely, and five were injured in stable condition. China's president ordered an urgent rescue.

At least 20 people were killed and five more are missing after the cargo ship "Ocean Melody," sailing under the Liberian flag, caught fire while docked for repairs at Beihai Shipbuilding Co in the port of Qingdao, China. There were 42 people on board, of whom 12 were rescued safely. Five were injured and taken to hospital, and their condition remains stable. The fire broke out around 11:00 AM and was extinguished by 2:30 PM local time. Chinese President Xi Jinping issued "important instructions" for an urgent rescue of the missing, and Premier Li Qiang called for rescuing the people "trapped" on the ship. Chinese authorities have opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incident.