Photo: Portuguese Naval Forces / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty
A cargo ship carrying thousands of cars thatcaught fire nearly two weeks agoin the middle of the Atlantic Ocean has sunk.
According to MOL Ship Management in Singapore, the Felicity Ace disappeared in the waters off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands on Tuesday, according to theAssociated Press. This happened as it was being towed.
While there is no official report about what caused the blaze, captain Joao Mendes Cabecas of the port of Hortas toldReutersthat he believed lithium-ion batteries in the electric cars inside the ship caught fire.
Along with electric vehicles, the 650-foot-long ship carried Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, and other luxury cars, according toCNN.
Representatives for Volkswagen did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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A spokesperson for Porsche Cars North America previously toldThe New York Timesthat 1,100 Porsches were on board.
The ship was carrying an estimated 2,200 tons of fuel and 2,200 tons of oil, in addition to the 18,700 tons of cargo that is now underwater, theAPsaid.
In astatementWednesday, the Portuguese Navy said the ship had generated a “patch of oily waste” that they are continuing to monitor along with other organizations.
source: people.com
