The cargo ship Morning Midas, carrying around 3,000 vehicles including 800 electric vehicles, sank in the Pacific Ocean on June 23 after a fire broke out earlier this month. The incident occurred approximately 360 nautical miles from land in waters about 5,000 meters deep. Here's what we know so far ¹ ²:

- *Cause of Sinking*: The fire, compounded by heavy weather, caused significant damage to the vessel, leading to water ingress and ultimately sinking.

- *Vehicle Cargo*: The ship was transporting 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles, from China to Mexico.

- *Rescue Efforts*: All 22 crew members were rescued, and pollution monitoring is ongoing.

- *Location*: The incident occurred in the North Pacific, prompting a response from the US Coast Guard and nearby merchant vessels.

- *Ship Details*: The Morning Midas is a Liberian-flagged ship managed by Zodiac Maritime, a UK-based company.

The sinking of the Morning Midas has raised concerns about the safety of transporting electric vehicles by sea, given the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. However, it's worth noting that such incidents are rare, and the shipping industry continues to adapt and improve safety measures ².