USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Croatia for repairs after Red Sea fire

The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the Croatian port of Split on Saturday for repairs and maintenance following a fire that broke out aboard the vessel earlier this month while it operated in the Red Sea. The supercarrier, the Navy's most advanced and the world's largest, had stopped briefly in Souda Bay, Crete, for initial assessments before heading to Croatia, where it is expected to remain for up to 14 months.

The fire occurred on March 12 in the ship's main laundry facilities, according to U.S. Central Command. Officials described it as non-combat related and contained, with no damage to the propulsion plant or impact on flight operations. Three sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries, two of whom returned to duty, while the third received further treatment and remained in stable condition. Nearly 200 crew members were treated for smoke inhalation. The blaze, which lasted about 30 hours, destroyed around 100 beds and displaced approximately 600 sailors, forcing many to sleep on tables and floors. Crew laundry has since been handled by other ships via airlift. Military and federal investigators continue to examine the cause, with service...