Dozens reported killed after international cargo ship docked in China catches fire
A total of 42 people had been on the vessel, and 17 of them were safely evacuated, state media reported.
At least 25 people were killed after an international cargo ship docked in eastern China caught fire, state media reported on Thursday.
"As of 7:24 pm on September 10, all 25 missing persons had been found, none showing signs of life," state broadcaster CCTV reported.
A photo released by China's official Xinhua news agency identified the ship as the Ocean Melody, which sails under a Liberian flag, according to the public vessel-tracking website VesselFinder.
A total of 42 people had been on the vessel, and 17 of them were safely evacuated, including five who were injured, Xinhua reported.
The ship was docked for repairs at the Beihai Shipbuilding Co. at the port of Qingdao, a major shipping hub on the northeastern Chinese coast.
State media said that the fire broke out at around 11:15 am (03:15 GMT) and that "the open flames were extinguished at around 2:30 pm (0630 GMT)."
China’s President Xi Jinping issued “important instructions” to urgently conduct rescues of missing people.
Premier Li Qiang also urged the search for and rescue of "trapped" people, and for those injured to receive medical treatment, "and strictly prevent secondary disasters".
Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding is a major shipyard that operates as a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
Xi warned that "all regions and relevant departments must draw profound lessons from this incident, thoroughly investigate and rectify all types of fire hazards".
This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
At least five people have died and 86 remain unaccounted for after a fire engulfed a passenger ferry travelling to Coron in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The MV June Aster was carrying 134 passengers and crew when the fire broke out, the Coast Guard said. The vessel was travelling towards Coron, a destination popular with tourists.
Coast Guard Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said 43 people had been rescued according to the BBC. The Coast Guard said the number of people still being located was 86, although Cayabyab stressed that the figure remained subject to change as search and rescue operations continued.
The figures were based on the vessel's manifest, which listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
The Coast Guard said the fire was still not fully extinguished during an update on September 10. Smoke remained visible and was continuing to emerge from the vessel, complicating efforts to enter the ship and assess the situation.
The ferry was approximately 7.6 nautical miles, or about 14km, from the coastal village of Turda, according to Cayabyab. Its position had shifted because of earlier winds.
According to the Coast Guard, conditions at sea had improved, with waves not as strong as they were the previous evening. As a result, rescue teams were seeking to make the most of the better weather while dealing with thick smoke from the vessel.
Cayabyab said the Coast Guard planned to enter the ferry to check the vessel and look for anything that could help establish what had happened. The continuing smoke was limiting those efforts.
The search and rescue operation remained under way as families waited for information about relatives who were on board.
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