Fire Aboard British Carrier Delays Trip to Promote Arms
LONDON — Fire damaged a British aircraft carrier Thursday, forcing it to abandon a task force it was to lead on a round-the-world trip to promote British-made military equipment.
A Royal Navy spokesman said the fire broke out in a gear box of the 20,000-ton carrier Illustrious off southern England but was quickly brought under control. There were no injuries.
The Illustrious, one of three British carriers, returned to Portsmouth for repairs.
The task force, on a 42,000-mile trip, was scheduled to visit countries in Asia, South America and the Midddle East to promote the sale of military hardware.
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