A fire broke out aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea, according to international media reports. The incident occurred on Thursday while the warship was operating in the region.
The Washington Post reported that the fire began in the ship’s laundry area. U.S. Navy officials said the blaze was quickly brought under control, preventing major damage to the vessel. Two sailors were injured in the incident, but officials said their injuries were minor and their condition is stable.
According to the international news agency Reuters, the U.S. Navy said preliminary findings indicate the fire was caused by a technical issue rather than hostile action. The ship’s main engines, operational systems, and combat capabilities were not affected.
Deployed Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The United States deployed the advanced aircraft carrier to the Middle East about a month ago as regional tensions increased. The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of U.S. military activities related to Iran.
Military analysts say warships deployed at sea for extended periods can experience technical strain on onboard systems.
Earlier reports had also mentioned issues related to pipeline and sanitation systems on the Gerald R. Ford. The ship has remained continuously deployed at sea for months, which has delayed scheduled maintenance.
Investigation Underway
The U.S. Navy said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, earlier reports had claimed that another U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, had been targeted by Iranian drones and missiles. However, U.S. Central Command later dismissed those reports as false and confirmed the vessel remained safe.
On the same day, a U.S. military aircraft involved in aerial refueling operations crashed in Iraq. An Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft, but U.S. Central Command said the crash was not caused by enemy fire.
Officials said early indications suggest the accident may have occurred due to a mid-air collision between two aircraft. The second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.