The Dutch Coast Guard announced the death of one person and injuries to others following a fire on a cargo ship carrying cars off the northern coast of the Netherlands, forcing several crew members to jump overboard.
A statement clarified that the ship was sailing 27 kilometers north of Ameland Island, about 180 kilometers from Amsterdam, when the fire broke out on Tuesday evening. Coast Guard spokesperson Edwin Graniman indicated that an electric vehicle could be the suspected source of the fire, noting that it remains ongoing. The cargo vessel was transporting 2,857 cars from Germany to Egypt, including 25 electric cars. Graniman mentioned that rescue experts are trying to determine the next steps in dealing with the burning ship.
There were 23 crew members aboard when the fire began, and the statement confirmed that all crew members were evacuated to a nearby Dutch port after efforts to extinguish the flames failed. The injured were airlifted to medical facilities in the Netherlands, suffering from symptoms due to smoke inhalation or injuries sustained during evacuation.
Edwin Versteeg, a spokesperson for the Dutch Waterways and Public Works administration, stated, "The fire has definitely not been contained. It is difficult to extinguish the fire, possibly due to the cargo the ship carries."
Dutch station "NOS" reported that the 199-meter-long ship had departed from the port of Bremerhaven and was successfully towed away from shipping lanes early Wednesday morning. Emergency services remain on site near the burning vessel.
