A fire broke out on a ship off the Dutch coast with around 3,000 cars on board on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring several others, the coastguard said.

Rescue boats and helicopters were used to get the 23 crew members off the ship after some had jumped in the water, a spokesperson for the Dutch coast guard told CNN on Wednesday.

Pictures show gray smoke emitting from the ship amid fears the vessel could sink 27 kilometers north of the Dutch island, Ameland, off the Wadden Sea – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is considered one of the most important regions for migratory birds in the world.

The ship – which sails under the flag of Panama – was on its way from Bremerhaven in Germany to Port Said in Egypt, according to CNN affiliate and Dutch national broadcaster NOS.

  • Krakatoa
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    61 year ago

    The fire may have been started by one of the 25 electric cars on board, according to NOS, but the coast guard spokesperson told CNN that the cause is still under investigation.

    Well I’ll be damned.

    • @[email protected]
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      101 year ago

      according to NOS

      NOS is a Dutch news channel. I’ll wait for the investigation before concluding on what “may” have caused the fire.

      It’s such a popular take that of course someone jumps to this conclusion.

      I’m pretty sure videogames, kids using cellphones and heavy metal music may also have caused this somehow - if you ask any random bystander.