New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- The death toll from a fire that broke out Thursday aboard a foreign-flagged cargo ship docked at a Chinese port has climbed to 25, according to state media. The toll includes five people who had earlier been reported missing.

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

Following the incident, Xi stated that "all regions and relevant departments must draw profound lessons from this incident, thoroughly investigate and rectify all types of fire hazards".

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