In a tragic turn of events, a cargo ship carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles caught fire off the Dutch coast, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The blaze broke out on the Panama-registered Fremantle Highway during its journey from Germany to Egypt. As rescue efforts continue, coastguards warn that the fire could rage on for days, presenting a challenging situation for authorities to tackle.

Electric Car Suspected as Possible Cause

The ship’s owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, revealed that an electric car in the cargo is suspected to be the possible cause of the fire. With around 25 electric cars on board, the investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. However, the company is cooperating with local authorities, salvors, and ship management companies to combat the blaze.

Rescue ships are battling the flames by spraying water onto the burning vessel to cool it down. However, the delicate balance between cooling the ship and avoiding sinking adds complexity to the firefighting efforts. A salvage vessel is hooked onto the ship to prevent it from drifting further.

The ship’s location near Ameland, an ecologically sensitive Frisian island in the Waddenzee area, has raised concerns about potential environmental consequences. The area is a UNESCO world heritage site, boasting diverse aquatic and terrestrial species. The ship’s potential sinking could have devastating consequences on this delicate ecosystem.

Amidst the inferno, rescue teams from the Royal Dutch Rescue Company (KNRM) and coastguards swiftly responded to the emergency. Seven crew members were forced to jump overboard, and some sustained injuries during the rescue. Tragically, one crew member lost their life in the flames. A helicopter airlifted the remaining crew members to safety.

Fire on Car Carriers

This fire is the latest in a series of incidents on car carriers. Earlier this month, two New Jersey firefighters lost their lives while battling a blaze on a cargo ship carrying hundreds of vehicles. In February last year, another fire destroyed thousands of luxury cars on a ship off the coast of Portugal’s Azores islands.

As the world holds its breath, waiting for the fire to be extinguished and the ship’s fate to be decided, authorities and environmentalists are on high alert. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges that come with transporting large numbers of vehicles across the seas.