Cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles sinks in Pacific Ocean after catching fire
Weeks after it caught fire, a cargo ship carrying automobiles, including electric vehicles, to Mexico, sank in the North Pacific Ocean. The 600-foot cargo ship had caught fire around 300 miles off the Alaskan coast on June 3. (REUTERS)
The ship, Morning Midas, was delivering 3,000 new vehicles, of which 800 were EVs, to Mexico. The carrier had been abandoned by its crew after an onboard fire which could not be extinguished.
The ship sank in international waters off the Aleutian Islands chain in Alaska, according to the ship's management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime. The damage due to the flames, combined with bad weather and water seepage, led to the Morning Midas sinking 16,404 feet deep, 415 miles away from land, as per the Associated Press.
After its sinking, a US coast guard spokesperson said that there was no 'visible pollution' in the aftermath of the incident. Officer Cameron Snell added that the US coast guard had vessels ready at present to respond in case any signs of pollution are noticed.
A couple of salvage tugs, carrying equipment for pollution control, have been stationed near the area where the carrier sunk, to control any pollution or debris. The ship's management company, Zodiac Maritime, will also send a pollution response vehicle for additional assistance, according to AP. Carrier caught fire three weeks ago
The 600-foot cargo ship had caught fire around 300 miles off the Alaskan coast on June 3. The ship sent a distress alert about the blaze, following which the US coast guard responded to the call.
The coast guard confirmed that no injuries had been reported, with the 22 people onboard being evacuated in lifeboats. They were rescued by a merchant marine vessel which was near the carrier.
The ship was travelling to Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico. The coast guard sent aircrews and a cutter ship to douse the flames. However, when this did not work, a salvage crew was sent days after fire had disabled the ship.
The carrier, a Liberian-flagged ship built in 2006, had left from Yantai, China for Mexico on May 26, as per marinetraffic.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including EVs to Mexico sinks in Pacific Ocean
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, smoke rises from cargo vessel Morning Midas approximately 300 miles south of Adak, Alaska, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard/Courtesy of Air Station Kodiak via AP, File) (AP) Check Offers A cargo ship that had been delivering new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean, weeks after crew members abandoned ship when they couldn't extinguish an onboard fire that left the carrier dead in the water. The Morning Midas sank Monday in international water off Alaska's Aleutian Islands chain, the ship's management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime, said in a statement. 'There is no visible pollution," said Petty Officer Cameron Snell, an Alaska-based U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. "Right now we also have vessels on scene to respond to any pollution." Fire damage compounded by bad weather and water seepage caused the carrier to sink in waters about 16,404 feet (5,000 meters) deep and about 415 miles (770 kilometers) from land, the statement said. The ship was loaded with about 3,000 new vehicles intended for a major Pacific port in Mexico. It was not immediately clear if any of the cars were removed before it sank, and Zodiac Maritime did not immediately respond to messages Tuesday. A salvage crew arrived days after the fire disabled the vehicle. Two salvage tugs containing pollution control equipment will remain on scene to monitor for any signs of pollution or debris, the company said. The crew members of those two ships were not injured when the Morning Midas sank. Zodiac Maritime said it is also sending another specialized pollution response vessel to the location as an added precaution. The Coast Guard said it received a distress alert June 3 about a fire aboard the Morning Midas, which then was roughly 300 miles (490 kilometers) southwest of Adak Island. There were 22 crew members onboard the Morning Midas. All were evacuated to a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby merchant marine vessel. There were no injuries. Among the cars were about 70 fully electric and about 680 hybrid vehicles. A large plume of smoke was initially seen at the ship's stern coming from the deck loaded with electric vehicles, the Coast Guard and Zodiac Maritime said at the time. Adak is about 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometres) west of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. The 600-foot (183-meter) Morning Midas was built in 2006 and sails under a Liberian flag. The car and truck carrier left Yantai, China, on May 26 en route to Mexico, according to the industry site A Dutch safety board in a recent report called for improving emergency response on North Sea shipping routes after a deadly 2023 fire aboard a freighter that was carrying 3,000 automobiles, including nearly 500 electric vehicles, from Germany to Singapore. One person was killed and others injured in the fire, which burned out of control for a week. That ship was eventually towed to a Netherlands port for salvage. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 25 Jun 2025, 13:04 PM IST
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Cargo ship carrying new vehicles to Mexico sinks in the North Pacific weeks after catching fire
ANCHORAGE, Alaska: A cargo ship that had been delivering new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean, weeks after crew members abandoned ship when they couldn't extinguish an onboard fire that left the carrier dead in the water. The Morning Midas sank Monday in international water off Alaska's Aleutian Islands chain, the ship's management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime, said in a statement. 'There is no visible pollution,' said Petty Officer Cameron Snell, an Alaska-based U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. 'Right now we also have vessels on scene to respond to any pollution.' Fire damage compounded by bad weather and water seepage caused the carrier to sink in waters about 16,404 feet (5,000 meters) deep and about 415 miles (770 kilometers) from land, the statement said. The ship was loaded with about 3,000 new vehicles intended for a major Pacific port in Mexico. It was not immediately clear if any of the cars were removed before it sank, and Zodiac Maritime did not immediately respond to messages Tuesday. A salvage crew arrived days after the fire disabled the vehicle. Two salvage tugs containing pollution control equipment will remain on scene to monitor for any signs of pollution or debris, the company said. The crew members of those two ships were not injured when the Morning Midas sank. Zodiac Maritime said it is also sending another specialized pollution response vessel to the location as an added precaution. The Coast Guard said it received a distress alert June 3 about a fire aboard the Morning Midas, which then was roughly 300 miles (490 kilometers) southwest of Adak Island. There were 22 crew members onboard the Morning Midas. All evacuated to a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby merchant marine vessel. There were no injuries.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Air India Employees Struggling With Morale Issues After Ahmedabad Crash: Report
Last Updated: After the crash, the airline employees are grappling with serious concerns due to the risks involved in their livelihood choice and are also losing faith in management. Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Following the deadly crash of Ahmedabad-London Air India flight AI-171, employees working at Air India and Air India Express, especially cabin crew, pilots and engineering staff have been struggling with morale issues, Moneycontrol reported. The London-bound Air India flight crashed into a hostel complex in Ahmedabad moments after it took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 afternoon, killing 275 persons, including 241 on board. After the crash, the airline employees are grappling with serious concerns due to the risks involved in their livelihood choice and are also losing faith in management. Adding to their difficulties, they're struggling to cope with negative public opinion and a growing distrust in the Air India brand. 'While most employees do appreciate the steps taken by senior leadership to highlight the sensitivity of the June 12 crash, most colleagues are looking for leadership, accountability, change in character and a platform where their concerns can be recognised," a pilot working with the airline told the news outlet. He further said that many pilots and cabin crew at Air India are now closely watching how the airline prepares for upcoming changes to flight duty timings. These changes are expected to include longer mandatory rest periods and other measures designed to better manage stress and and fatigue among staff. Another Air India pilot recalled facing 'several incidents,' including a major in-flight engine failure. 'You just have to be prepared, focus on the tasks at hand, and keep going. Nothing really prepares you fully for what the skies may throw at you," he told the news outlet. While speaking to Moneycontrol, an official at Air India's Gurugram head office said that the employees are expecting the management to introduce new Standard Operating Procedures for flight safety. They are also anticipating the creation of a forum for open discussion on fatigue, workload, and operational risks, aiming to foster a culture where safety concerns can be freely raised. Seasoned pilot Captain Anil Rao, with 32 years and 12,000 flying hours under his belt, told the news outlet that while aviation tragedies deeply impact the community, pilots are specifically trained to handle such critical situations. 'In life-and-death scenarios, a pilot fights till the very end to protect lives onboard and on the ground. That mindset is drilled into us. When a tragedy strikes close to home, there's shock and grief, yes, but pilots and cabin crew don't have the luxury to stop. We have to get up and fly," he said. Multiple pilots and cabin crew who spoke with Moneycontrol noted a noticeable increase in compassion and concern from senior leaders regarding employee workload and mental well-being following the crash. The airline has also deployed a team of trained psychologists and doctors in Ahmedabad to provide trauma counseling and psychological support to the affected families or individuals. The airline has deployed psychologists at its base stations in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai to for cabin crew, pilots and other staff struggling with mental well-being. Air India's leadership group has also been interacting with employees to boost morale during a difficult time. 'We (Air India) are supporting those staff who have served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base with a mandatory break and counselling. The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone and I encourage you to avail of it," Air India's Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said on June 20. Ahmedabad Plane Crash India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. 241 out of 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 (AI 171) and 34 on the ground, were killed in the crash. The deceased include 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children. So far, 256 bodies have been handed over to their families, while the DNA identification process for the remaining remains ongoing. One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Gujarat health department gave the official figure of casualties of the tragedy. The announcement of the death toll was delayed as authorities were verifying the DNA matches of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Many bodies were charred beyond recognition as the aircraft burst into flames or were damaged on impact. The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
