Alaska: Cargo ship carrying electric vehicles catches fire off the coast

A fire broke out off the coast of Alaska on a cargo ship carrying hundreds of electric vehicles , with a rescue operation planned for Monday, according to US media reports. The Alaska Coast Guard received a distress call last Tuesday reporting a fire aboard the Morning Midas, a ship owned by the British company Zodiac Maritime carrying more than 3,000 vehicles, including about 750 electric or hybrid vehicles.

The 22 crew members evacuated to a lifeboat before being rescued by a private vessel. An overflight of the Morning Midas, which is more than 500 km off the coast of Alaska, confirmed it was still on fire Wednesday, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

They released images showing smoke rising from the approximately 200-meter-long vessel. "Currently, there are no visual indications that the vessel is taking on water or listing, and the extent of the damage is unknown," the coastguard said.

A rescue team is expected Monday to attempt to extinguish the fire, according to several US media outlets. Electric vehicles contain lithium-ion batteries, which are generally safe, but can overheat and ignite if damaged. The ship is also believed to be carrying hundreds of tons of gaseous fuel, according to the Coast Guard.