A major explosion occurred at the Ningbo-Zhoushan port in Zhejiang province, eastern China, on Friday, according to state media reports. The blast hit a container ship that was docked at the port, sending up flames and thick smoke around 1:40 p.m. local time. Authorities have yet to report any casualties, but an investigation into the cause of the explosion has been launched.
The container ship involved in the incident was reportedly carrying hazardous materials. Videos circulating online show a massive cloud of white smoke followed by a large orange and yellow fireball, which scattered debris and engulfed containers stacked at least three high.
The Zhejiang Province Emergency Management Administration confirmed that the ship was loaded with Class 5 hazardous materials, though the specifics of the cargo were not disclosed.
Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp confirmed that the vessel involved was the YM Mobility. The company reported that the fire aboard the ship was quickly controlled and that all crew members were safely evacuated. The explosion also caused damage to nearby company offices, with broken windows and a collapsed ceiling reported about 1 kilometer from the blast site.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, located just south of Shanghai, is one of the largest ports in the world. The incident highlights the risks associated with handling hazardous materials and has prompted urgent safety reviews at the site.
