A cargo vessel, the 'Blue Antares,' which left Ashdod port this morning carrying scrap metal, reported rising temperatures, explosions, and flames in two large storage containers about 75 nautical miles off Israel's coast. The crew sealed the containers and injected CO₂ to suppress the fire, and the captain ordered a return to Haifa port, where fire crews from the Krayot station met the vessel at Haifa's Israel Shipyards dock at 20:45.
A fire broke out on a cargo ship off Israel's coast Thursday afternoon, prompting the vessel to return to Haifa port after eight hours at sea. The 'Blue Antares' departed Ashdod in the early morning with a scrap metal cargo and was about 75 nautical miles out of Israeli territorial waters when the crew detected abnormal heat readings in two large storage containers, followed by bangs, flames, and smoke. The crew covered the containers and pumped CO₂ gas to suppress the fire, according to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services' Coast District spokesperson. The captain decided to turn back, and the ship docked at Israel Shipyards in Haifa at 20:45, where Krayot station fire crews coordinated with the ship's team to clear the scene and rule out any remaining fire. The incident was managed by Krayet watch commander Deputy Chief Eitan Ripa and district marine fire officer Udi Azarian. No injuries were reported. The Zioneer has not previously reported on this incident.
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