Coast Guard Rescues 22 Crew from Burning Car Carrier Off Alaska

The cargo ship Morning Midas, carrying 3,000 vehicles including approximately 800 electric vehicles from China to Mexico, caught fire roughly 300 miles southwest of Adak Island, Alaska, forcing its 22 crew members to abandon ship and evacuate on lifeboats. The crew was rescued safely by the nearby merchant vessel Cosco Hellas, with no reported injuries. Despite efforts by the crew to use the onboard fire suppression system, the fire could not be controlled, and smoke continues to emanate from the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with Zodiac Maritime—the ship's management company—are coordinating salvage and firefighting efforts, prioritizing crew safety and environmental protection. The fire has raised concerns about the risks posed by lithium batteries in electric vehicles, which have been linked to increasing incidents of fires on car carriers. Authorities are still determining the cause of the fire and the future disposition of the vessel.