Fire Engulfs US Navy Warship Off Okinawa, Two Sailors Injured
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Akahi News learnt that a fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans, a United States Navy amphibious transport dock ship, while anchored off Okinawa, Japan, burning for approximately 12 hours and injuring two sailors, according to a statement from the Navy’s 7th Fleet in Japan.
Akahi News gathered that the fire started around 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday and was reportedly extinguished early Thursday morning. However, the Japan Coast Guard, which assisted in firefighting operations, indicated that efforts continued until just after 9 a.m. local time, as authorities worked to ensure the blaze was fully controlled. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
The USS New Orleans, which has a crew of more than 360 sailors and the capacity to carry up to 800 troops, was anchored off the White Beach Naval Facility on the east coast of Okinawa when the fire erupted. The facility functions as a staging area for US Marines and their equipment, facilitating deployment to amphibious ships like the New Orleans, which measures 684 feet in length and has a displacement of 24,000 tons.
Akahi News learnt that two sailors sustained injuries and were treated in on-board medical facilities. The New Orleans’ crew was aided by personnel from the USS San Diego, also moored at White Beach, in combating the fire. Additionally, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and other US Navy commands stationed in Okinawa provided crucial support throughout the firefighting operations.
Images captured by Japanese public broadcaster NHK showed tugs spraying water on the bow of the New Orleans as part of the firefighting efforts. The Navy has stated that it continues to investigate the incident to determine the origin and full circumstances of the fire.
The incident underscores the ongoing risks associated with naval operations and highlights the collaborative efforts between US and Japanese forces in managing emergencies at sea.
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