Cargo Ship Fire at Major Chinese Port

A fire erupted on a Taiwanese cargo ship at China's bustling Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, sending shockwaves through the area. Here's what you need to know:

The Incident

• A fire broke out on Yang Ming Marine Transport's YM Mobility
• Explosion occurred at 1:40 p.m. local time Aug 9.
• No casualties reported
• Shockwaves felt up to 1 km away

Hazardous Cargo

The ship, docked at the port's Beilun terminal, was carrying dangerous goods, lithium batteries and tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate which may have been the cause if stored in an environment of over 86F(30C) .

"Immediate fire-fighting measures have been taken... the fire has been brought under control, and all the ship's personnel have been safely evacuated," Yang Ming Marine Transport stated.

Impact on Surroundings

Nearby offices were damaged by shockwaves

"Our windows were damaged, and the ceiling of our canteen collapsed a little," reported by a nearby staffer at a company located about 1 km (half a mile) from the ship.

This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns in shipping hazardous materials. While quick action prevented casualties, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers lurking in busy ports worldwide.

Source: Reuters