A 5,000-tonne cargo vessel exploded Monday night at a shipyard at Pingtan Island, southeast China's Fujian Province, local fire department said.

The vessel exploded at 8:35 p.m. when being examined and repaired at Kan'ao Shipyard, Su'ao dock of Pingtan Island.

Eight trapped people were rescued. Three firefighters were injured in the search and rescue operation.

Firefighters are still working to put out the fire.