(MENAFN) A vessel transporting over 3,000 vehicles, including around 750 electric and hybrid models, caught fire while traveling from China to Mexico across the Pacific Ocean. The incident occurred roughly 300 miles southwest of Alaska's Adak Island.

All 22 crew members onboard safely evacuated into a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby commercial ship, according to reports.

The vessel, identified as Morning Midas, operates under the Liberian flag and is managed from the United Kingdom. It issued a distress call on a Tuesday afternoon, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to respond by deploying ships and aircraft, while also calling on three nearby merchant vessels for assistance.

Authorities reported that the ship was also carrying about 1,900 metric tons of fuel at the time of the fire. Given the potential danger posed by the lithium-ion batteries in the electric and hybrid vehicles on board, officials decided not to fight the fire directly. Allowing the blaze to burn out naturally was deemed safer due to the risk of explosions and release of toxic fumes, as explained by a Coast Guard spokesperson.

According to statements from the ship’s management company, Zodiac Maritime, the fire broke out at approximately midnight UTC on June 3.

MENAFN12062025000045017281ID1109664262