Qingdao: At least 25 people were killed after a cargo vessel in eastern China caught fire, state news agency Xinhua reported Thursday. All 25 individuals initially reported missing have been found dead.

According to Anadolu Agency, the foreign cargo ship caught fire while undergoing maintenance at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard in the city of Qingdao, Shandong province, at around 11.15 am (0315 GMT). At least 42 people were aboard the vessel when the fire erupted. Twelve were safely evacuated, while five injured people were taken to the hospital. The blaze was finally extinguished at around 2.30 pm (0630 GMT).

Following the accident, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "efforts to prevent major accidents." Xi stressed the need to "expedite search and rescue of missing persons, properly handle the aftermath and provide comfort and support, and promptly investigate the cause of the accident, holding those responsible accountable according to law."

The Emergency Management Ministry dispatched a team to the site, as authorities in Shandong mobilized resources to fully carry out an on-site response to the incident. Xi said all regions and relevant departments "should learn profound lessons" from the incident, and "thoroughly investigate and rectify all kinds of fire hazards."