Korea probes a ship explosion in Hormuz as Trump accuses Iran of the attack.
SEOUL – Seoul said on Tuesday (5/5) that authorities will investigate the cause of an explosion and fire on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, in an incident that US President Donald Trump described as an Iranian attack.
“The exact cause of the accident will be determined after the vessel is towed and the damage is inspected,” South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.
The Panama-flagged cargo ship, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM (011200.KS), was empty and at anchor when the explosion and fire occurred on Monday.
The ministry said there were no casualties and the fire has been extinguished. The vessel, named HMM Namu, will be towed to the nearest port for damage assessment and repairs, it added.
An HMM spokesperson said that all 24 crew members remain on board the 35,000-tonne general cargo vessel.
They also said the fire originated in the engine room, and CCTV footage showed that the flames had been brought under control.
UK-based maritime risk management firm Vanguard said authorities will investigate whether the damage was 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 said on Tuesday that it has asked Korean vessels in the area to move to safer locations, adding that authorities are maintaining communication with shipping companies and affected ships.
The South Korean government said that 26 South Korean-flagged vessels are currently stranded around the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump said that Iran had fired at the vessel and other targets while the US was conducting operations to reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also suggested that South Korea join a new effort to help escort vessels stranded in those waters, which typically carry around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
South Korea’s foreign ministry, defence ministry, and presidential office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s remarks.
South Korea had previously said it would carefully consider Trump’s call for countries to deploy naval vessels to form a coalition to ensure maritime security in the region, noting that such a move would require legislative approval. (DK/LM)
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