The USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is sailing to Crete for repairs after a fire onboard left sailors injured and caused significant damage.
The $13 billion vessel has been deployed for nine months, including operations against Venezuela and more recently in the Middle East during the US-Israeli war with Iran.
A fire in the ship’s main laundry area took hours to contain, injuring crew and destroying sleeping quarters.
US Central Command said two sailors suffered “non-life-threatening injuries”, while nearly 200 were treated for smoke-related issues. One service member was flown off the ship for treatment.
Officials said more than 600 sailors lost their beds and have been sleeping on floors and tables, with the fire impacting around 100 berths.
The carrier has also faced ongoing technical issues, including problems with its toilet system, which has experienced “unexpected and frequent clogging,” requiring costly maintenance.
Despite the damage, the US military said the ship’s propulsion system and aircraft operations remain functional.
The carrier, which hosts more than 5,000 personnel and over 75 aircraft, is now expected to undergo repairs in Crete, though officials have not confirmed how long it will remain there.
Source: The Independent.
