Cargo Ship Carrying Nearly 3,000 Cars Catches Fire Off Dutch Coast, One Crew Member Killed

Smoke and flames on a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, on July 26, 2023. Kustwacht Nederland/Coastguard Netherlands via AP

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, killing one crew member and injuring others, the Dutch coast guard said.

The agency said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds.