Cargo Ship Fire Kills 20 in Qingdao

At least 20 people died and five remained missing following a fire aboard a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing maintenance at a shipyard in Qingdao, China. The blaze erupted on Thursday, September 10, 2026, around 11:15 a.m. local time at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard. The fire was extinguished by early afternoon, with open flames reported out by approximately 2:30 p.m. State media reported that 42 people were on board the vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Melody, when the incident occurred. Of those aboard, 12 were safely evacuated, and five sustained injuries requiring hospitalization, where they are reported to be in stable condition. Twenty individuals were found to have no signs of life. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered intensified search and rescue efforts, a swift investigation into the cause, and accountability measures for those responsible. Premier Li Qiang also directed authorities to prioritize the rescue of any trapped individuals and to implement measures to prevent secondary disasters. The Ocean Melody had arrived at the shipyard on August 31 for repair and inspection works. The Beihai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.