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A US-bound luxury cargo carrier sank in the Central Atlantic today nearly two weeks after a fire broke out aboard it near the Portuguese islands of the Azores.
The fire that severely damaged the transporter Felicity Ace also caused her to sink as she was retreating from the Portuguese navy.
The Portuguese navy confirmed the sinking of the ship about 220 meters long, at a time when its crew was evacuated shortly after the start of the still unexplained fire.
An extensive operation had been launched to extinguish the fire as the ship had sailed for several days without anyone on board.
It is not clear how many cars were being transported on the ship, but a Felicity Ace-sized ship could carry at least 4,000.
German vehicle manufacturers declined to discuss what models were being shipped, but the Porsche group said it had been contacted by U.S. outlets waiting for the vehicles to be ordered.
“We are working to replace any vehicles affected by this incident and new cars will be built soon,” Angus Fitton, vice president of Porsche Cars North America, said in an email.
The ship was transporting electric and non-electric vehicles, according to Portuguese authorities.
Suspicions about the causes of the fire on February 16 fell on the lithium batteries of vehicles that have been previously registered as a source of incidents, but authorities said they have no evidence on the matter.
Officials added that the ship was carrying 2,200 tons of fuel and 2,200 tons of oil that could pollute the ocean. Portuguese authorities said only a small oil slick was seen as the ship sank, which aid vessels were pumping.
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