Twenty-five people have died after a fire broke out on a bulk carrier undergoing repairs at CSSC-controlled Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in eastern China on Thursday.
The fire started at around 11.15 am local time while the foreign-flagged vessel was being overhauled at the Qingdao yard. Chinese authorities said 42 people were onboard at the time. Twelve managed to get off safely while another five were taken to hospital, where their condition was described as stable.
Authorities initially listed 25 people as missing. The blaze was brought under control at around 2.30 pm, with rescuers initially recovering 20 bodies. By 7.24 pm, all 25 missing people had been found with no signs of life.
Images released from the scene identify the vessel as the Liberia-flagged Ocean Melody, a 2006-built, 55,742 dwt supramax.
Vessel databases list Huili Shipping as the registered owner and Shanghai-based Yuyangkunpeng Ship Management as its manager. The ship arrived in Qingdao from Taicang on August 31 and remained there for repairs.
The vessel has a familiar history to Splash readers. It is the former Strange Attractor, previously part of the Star Bulk Carriers fleet. Star Bulk agreed to sell the ship in early 2025 and delivered it to its new owners on April 24 that year, after which it was renamed Ocean Melody.
Chinese president Xi Jinping ordered authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and determine responsibility, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a team to Qingdao to assist with the response. The cause of the blaze has yet to be disclosed.
Qingdao Beihai is one of China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s major shipbuilding and repair facilities. The Haixi Bay yard handles newbuildings, conversions and repair work and operates dedicated repair docks capable of accommodating ships of up to 300,000 dwt.
