At least 25 dead after cargo ship catches fire in China
A fire on a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked for repairs in Qingdao, China, has resulted in at least 25 deaths. Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, have ordered an urgent investigation and search-and-rescue operation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights significant industrial safety concerns at major global shipping hubs and has prompted high-level government intervention in China.
Fire breaks out on ship being repaired in the port of Qingdao, eastern China.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A drone view shows ships and containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 20, 2025 [File:China Daily via Reuters] By AFP and AP Published On 10 Sep 2026 10 Sep 2026 At least 25 people have died after a foreign-flagged cargo ship caught fire while docked in a Chinese port, state media reported.
Of the 42 people on board, 12 were safely evacuated, while five were hospitalised with injuries and were in stable condition, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday.
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