Morning Midas Sinks with 3,000 Vehicles

The Morning Midas, a cargo ship managed by Zodiac Maritime, sank in the North Pacific Ocean off Alaska's Aleutian Islands weeks after a fire broke out on board. The fire, which started on June 3, disabled the vessel, leading its 22 crew members to evacuate safely. The ship was carrying approximately 3,000 new vehicles, including 70 electric and 680 hybrid models, from Yantai, China, to a major Pacific port in Mexico. Fire damage, compounded by bad weather and water seepage, caused the Morning Midas to sink in deep international waters. The United States and Zodiac Maritime are monitoring the site for any visible pollution, with salvage tugs and a specialized pollution response vessel deployed. The incident raises concerns about fire safety on ships carrying electric vehicles, following a similar deadly fire in 2023.