A cargo ship that caught fire earlier this month in the Pacific Ocean has sunk, according to its managing company. The Morning Midas, which was abandoned after a blaze broke out onboard, was transporting about 3,000 vehicles — including approximately 800 electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are typically safe but can overheat or ignite if damaged.
Zodiac Maritime, the ship’s manager, said the vessel sank on June 23 after fire damage was worsened by severe weather. Water eventually breached the ship, leading to its sinking.
“Damage caused by the fire, compounded by heavy weather and subsequent water ingress, caused the Morning Midas to sink at around 16:35 local time (UTC -9) on June 23, in waters approximately 5,000 meters deep and 360 nautical miles from land,” the company said in a statement.
Morning Midas, a carrying 3,000 vehicles including 800 electric vehicles, caught a fire on June 3 in waters off Alaska's Aleutian island chain. The crew of the ship abandoned it after they were unable to control the blaze.
A large plume of smoke was initially seen at the ship's stern coming from the deck loaded with electric vehicles, photos shared by the US Coast Guard showed, after which Zodiac Maritime gave a confirmation in a statement.
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