At least 20 people killed in fire on cargo ship in China

At least 20 people were killed and five are missing as a result of a fire on a cargo ship moored at the Chinese port of Qingdao.

This was reported by the Associated Press, citing Chinese state media.

Based on a photograph published by the Xinhua news agency, the vessel was identified as the Ocean Melody, sailing under the flag of Liberia.

There were 42 people on board the ship, 12 of whom were evacuated.

The vessel was undergoing repairs at the Beihai Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in the port of Qingdao, a major maritime hub on China's east coast.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered that a rescue operation be carried out urgently and that a search for the missing be organized.