One crew member missing after blast, fire aboard an LNG vessel in Wuhan

One crew member was reported missing after a blast and fire aboard an LNG dual-fuel container ship at Yangluo Port in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, early on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The incident occurred at about 5:30 am as the Yi Hang Ming Yuan was maneuvering toward berth A101. A loud blast was heard in an aft compartment, where a fire broke out, and several containers fell into the water, according to Hubei Port Group.

Preliminary information showed that seven empty containers had fallen overboard.

The terminal's control center immediately suspended operations and ordered all personnel at the terminal and the ship's crew to evacuate to safe areas. Fire engines arrived at the quayside at 5:39 am.

Rescue operations were continuing, the report said.