On 23 March 2021, at 07:40 EST (UTC+2), the Ever Given was traveling through the Suez Canal when it was caught in a sandstorm. The strong wind, which reached 40 knots, resulted in the “loss of the ability to steer the ship", causing the hull to deviate.[1][2][18] The Ever Given then ran aground at the 151 kilometres (82 nmi) mark, and turned sideways unable to free itself, blocking the canal on both ends.[2]