South Korea Says Blast, Fire Hit Korean-Operated Ship in Strait of Hormuz; No Casualties

 
 
A blast and fire broke out on a Korean-operated ship that had been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control, South Korea’s government said. Officials were checking whether the vessel was attacked and said no casualties had been reported so far.
 
The Foreign Ministry said the explosion and fire occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on the 4th (Korea time) on a vessel anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz.
 
The ship was the NAMU, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM and registered in Panama, the ministry said.
 
Six South Korean crew members and 18 foreign crew members were aboard, and no injuries had been confirmed as of the latest reports, the ministry said.
 
A ministry official said, “The cause of the explosion and fire and the specific extent of the damage are being confirmed.” The damaged area was the port side of the engine room. The vessel remains at sea awaiting further action.
 
The official added, “The government will stay in close communication with relevant countries and take necessary steps to ensure the safety of our ships and seafarers inside the Strait of Hormuz.”

Cheong Wa Dae said it was assessing the cause of the fire and had confirmed there were no injuries among the South Korean crew members.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media platform Truth Social that he would begin “Project Freedom” to pull out ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz starting the morning of the 4th, Middle East time.
 
 
 



* This article has been translated by AI.

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