New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- At least 20 people were killed and five others remained unaccounted for after a fire broke out Thursday aboard a foreign-flagged cargo vessel berthed at a port in China, state media reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to step up search and rescue efforts and "stressed the need to... strictly hold those responsible to account".

The bulk carrier was docked at Qingdao, a major shipping centre in eastern China, when the blaze started. According to state broadcaster CCTV, there were 42 people aboard the vessel at the time.

Seventeen people were evacuated from the ship, including five who suffered injuries, while rescue teams were still searching for five missing people. CCTV reported that 20 oth...