South Korea investigates explosion on vessel in Strait of Hormuz

On May 5, Seoul announced that authorities are investigating the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident for which US President Donald Trump has blamed Iran, Reuters reports.

“The exact cause ​of the accident would be figured out after the vessel is towed and its damage is ​assessed,” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Panama-flagged cargo ship, operated by South Korean carrier HMM, was empty and anchored when the explosion and fire occurred on May 4. The ministry said no injuries were reported and the fire has been extinguished. The vessel, HMM Namu, will be towed to the nearest port for inspection and repairs. A company representative said all 24 crew members remain on board the 35,000-ton bulk carrier.

According to the representative, the fire broke out in the engine room, and CCTV footage confirmed it was successfully contained.

UK-based maritime risk management group Vanguard said authorities would examine whether the damage could have been caused by an attack, a drifting sea mine, or another external object.

In response to the incident, South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on May 5 urged Korean vessels in the area to move to safer locations, adding that authorities are maintaining close contact with shipping companies and blocked vessels.

The government said 26 South Korean-flagged ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz area.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran had fired on the vessel and other targets as the United States launched an operation to reopen the strait to navigation. He suggested that South Korea should join the effort to escort blocked vessels through the waterway, which typically carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Seoul had earlier said it would carefully consider Trump’s call for countries to deploy naval forces as part of a coalition to ensure safe passage, noting that such a move would require legislative approval.

By Jeyhun Aghazada