Spectacular images of an explosion on a container ship in a Chinese port

Steph Deschamps / August 10, 2024

A “powerful explosion” engulfed a container ship in the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in eastern China on Friday, where emergency crews were dispatched to extinguish the fire, official media reported. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported, despite images showing a ball of flames that ravaged a large part of the ship's deck and pulverized surrounding debris.

 

The explosion occurred at around 1:40 pm on the bow of the YM Mobility, moored in the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, reported the official Xinhua news agency.

 

An investigation is underway” to determine the cause, the statement said.

 

State broadcaster CCTV reported that the fire had been extinguished by 5 p.m. and that the local coastguard had been mobilized to intervene.

 

“After a preliminary check, all the ship's dockers and staff are safe and there are no casualties,” CCTV reported.

 

The vast port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is one of the busiest in the world in terms of cargo throughput. Industrial accidents occur frequently in China due to poor safety training and lax protocols.