Cargo ship with Bentley, Audi luxury cars is on fire in Atlantic Ocean
A massive cargo ship holding thousands of luxury cars, including 1,000 Porsches, was left floating across the Atlantic Ocean after it caught fire near the Terceira Island in the Azores, the Portuguese island territory.
The ship departed from Emden, Germany, on Feb. 10 and was scheduled to arrive in Davisville, Rhode Island, on Wednesday before a fire broke out. The 22 crew members on board were safely lifted out of the burning ship via a helicopter, as seen in a video.
Authorities did not specify the exact amount of cargo left on the 650-foot, 60,000-ton ship. However, automotive website The Drive reported that the cargo ship is also carrying 4,000 vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, including 189 Bentleys and an unknown number of Audis.
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Matt Farah, an editor of The Smoking Tire, tweeted he’s been waiting for his 2022 frozen-berry metallic Boxster Spyder, estimated at about $123,000, since August. Then, on Wednesday, he got news from the dealership that his car was possibly on fire drifting in the ocean.
“I just got a call from my dealer. My car is now adrift, possibly on fire, in the middle of the ocean.”
In a statement to The New York Times Thursday evening, a spokeswoman for Porsche Cars North America confirmed 1,100 of the company’s cars were on board. The spokeswoman said those concerned for their vehicles should contact their dealer.
“Our immediate thoughts are of relief that the 22 crew members of the merchant ship Felicity Ace are safe and well,” the statement said.
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Contributed: The Associated Press
Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda
