USS Gerald R. Ford to visit Souda Bay following shipboard fire

The United States aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to arrive at Souda Bay, Crete, for refueling and repairs after a fire that lasted over 30 hours. The blaze originated in the ship's laundry room and spread through air ducts, affecting multiple compartments. Reports on the scale of the incident vary, with some sources citing nearly 200 sailors receiving medical attention for smoke inhalation and others noting two injuries. Approximately 600 crew members were displaced from their sleeping quarters, with many forced to sleep on the floor or tables. The 13-billion-dollar vessel has been on a ten-month deployment, involving operations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. While the U.S. Navy maintains that combat operations were unaffected, the ship is not expected to resume its mission in the region and is slated for return to the United States. Local groups in Chania have organized protests against the vessel's presence and the use of the military base.