A cargo ship operated by a South Korean carrier exploded and caught fire while anchored in the increasingly tense Strait of Hormuz. All 24 people aboard were reported safe, but authorities opened a detailed probe amid suspicions the vessel may have been struck from outside.
On the 5th, the Foreign Ministry and industry sources said the blast occurred at about 8:40 p.m. Korea time the previous evening on a cargo ship anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates. The vessel, the Panama-flagged HMM NAMU, is operated by South Korea’s HMM. Damage to the hull was concentrated on the port side of the engine room, and the ship remains at sea pending inspection and further action.
The NAMU had 24 people aboard, including six Korean crew members; there were no casualties. The Foreign Ministry said investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion and fire and to assess the full extent of damage, and that it will coordinate closely with relevant countries to ensure crew safety.
The government and HMM have adopted a cautious stance on whether the ship was struck. Officials suspect an external impact caused the incident, but they said investigators must complete their work to establish the exact circumstances. If an external attack is ultimately confirmed, it would be the first direct damage to a vessel linked to South Korea since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict.
Immediately after the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on social media that Iran carried out the attack, saying Iran fired on foreign vessels including the Korean cargo ship. The South Korean government has withheld official confirmation.
Earlier, the U.S. launched “Project Freedom,” deploying warplanes and warships to protect civilian shipping. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO) reported that at least two other civilian vessels were damaged that day in addition to the NAMU. U.S. forces said they sank six small Iranian boats during the operation.
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