Fire still burning cargo ship in North Sea, but not in danger of sinking

ANKARA

A cargo ship carrying about 3,000 cars that caught fire in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands on Wednesday evening is still burning but has not sunk, local media reported on Thursday, citing officials.

The fire is still burning, and the ship, Fremantle Highway, is still navigable. It is not currently in danger of sinking or capsizing, Edwing Granneman of the Coast Guard told broadcaster NOS.

While the salvage company wants to send personnel on board to more accurately assess the situation, he said it is currently not possible due to the intense heat because "there are still fires and smoke."

The ship was carrying around 3,000 cars, including 25 electric vehicles, from Bremerhaven, Germany to Egypt when a fire broke out, engulfing the vessel in flames near Ameland Island, off Dutch shores, the NL Times reported.

One crew member was killed and others were injured, according to the Dutch Coast Guard.

No oil had yet leaked from the Fremantle Highway, the NL Times reported, citing a statement issued on Wednesday evening by Wadden Association, an independent association that stands up for the interests of the Wadden Sea.

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure Mark Harbers wrote to parliament on Thursday that while the ship is currently stable, the risk of capsizing and sinking remains a genuine concern.