25 Dead After Fire on Bulk Carrier at Qingdao Shipyard

Twenty-five people have died and five others were injured after a fire broke out aboard the Liberian-flagged dry bulk carrier Ocean Melody while the vessel was undergoing repair work at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Co. on September 10.

The blaze began at approximately 11:15 a.m. local time while around 42 people were reportedly onboard the vessel carrying out inspection work. Thick smoke could be seen rising from the bulk carrier, which remained moored at the shipyard during the incident.

Emergency teams launched a rescue operation, successfully bringing 12 people to safety. Five injured individuals were taken to hospital for treatment, however, the remaining 25 people onboard were subsequently found deceased.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control and fully extinguish it by approximately 2:30 p.m.

Ocean Melody had arrived at the Qingdao shipyard on August 31 and was undergoing repairs and inspections when the fire occurred. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established and authorities have opened an investigation into the incident to determine how the fire started.