The incident you're referring to involves the cargo ship Morning Midas, which was abandoned in the Pacific Ocean after a fire broke out on June 3, 2025.
Key Details of the Event
Vessel: The Morning Midas, a 600-foot-long cargo ship.
Cargo: It was carrying over 3,000 vehicles from China to Mexico, including approximately 800 electric vehicles (EVs).
Location: The fire occurred around 300 miles south of Adak Island in Alaska.
Timeline: The crew attempted to fight the fire but couldn't contain it. The 22 crew members were safely evacuated by the U.S. Coast Guard and transferred to a nearby merchant ship.
Aftermath: The ship was left adrift and continued to burn for weeks. On June 23, 2025, it sank after being compounded by heavy weather.
Cause of the Fire: While the exact cause is still under investigation, early reports from the ship's manager, Zodiac Maritime, indicated that smoke was initially seen coming from a deck carrying electric vehicles. The incident has renewed concerns about the fire risks associated with shipping EVs, as lithium-ion battery fires are known to be difficult to extinguish, especially in a confined space like a cargo ship.