Over 100 containers fall from fire-hit cargo ship off British Columbia

More than 100 containers had fallen of a ship carrying cargo including mining chemicals that was struck by fire off the coast of British Columbia, up from a previous count of 40, Canada's Coast Guard said on Wednesday, with the blaze under control.

The container fire broke out on Saturday on the cargo ship MV Zim Kingston. There were no reported injuries or casualties.


"With the fire under control, the Zim Kingston crew were able to safely access the container bays on the ship. They now believe that 106 containers went overboard, not 40. The number of containers with hazardous goods – two - has NOT changed," the Canadian Coast Guard said in a tweet.

Transport Canada inspectors will inspect the ship and then direct it to a port for unloading and any further inspections.

Stormy weather in recent days had complicated efforts to recover the containers which pose a risk to mariners, according to the Coast Guard.

Over 100 containers of toys, clothing, automotive parts, industrial parts and furniture went off the side of the ship when it hit rough seas near Port Angeles.

"Unified Command expects that some of the containers have sunk and the Environmental Unit will assess for potential impacts," the Coast Guard said on Twitter.

Sixteen crew members were evacuated from the Zim Kingston on Saturday, while five crew members stayed behind and were joined by a salvage and fire extinguishing agency, said Danaos Shipping Co, the company that manages the ship.