WASHINGTON: A fire aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford operating in the Middle East has left more than 600 crew members without beds, according to media reports.
The blaze, which broke out in the ship’s main laundry area, took more than 30 hours to extinguish and resulted in injuries to several sailors, officials said.
Crew forced to sleep in temporary spaces
Reports said affected crew members are now sleeping on floors and tables after losing their bunks due to the fire damage. The incident also disrupted access to laundry facilities, leaving sailors unable to wash clothes.
Dozens of personnel reportedly suffered smoke inhalation, while at least two sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Carrier remains operational
Despite the incident, the US military said the carrier remains fully operational, with no damage to its propulsion systems.
The vessel, carrying around 4,500 sailors and pilots, has been deployed for several months and is currently part of US operations linked to regional tensions involving Iran.
Prolonged deployment raises concerns
The carrier is approaching one of the longest deployments in recent US naval history, with reports indicating it could surpass previous records if it remains at sea in the coming weeks.
Officials have also acknowledged ongoing technical issues aboard the ship, including repeated problems with its plumbing systems.
Naval analysts say extended deployments can strain both equipment and crew readiness, particularly under operational pressures.