SEOUL, May 10 (AJP) - South Korean inspectors have wrapped up their on-site investigation into a cargo vessel that mysteriously caught fire while anchored near the Strait of Hormuz last week, government authorities said on Sunday.
Their inspection into the cause of the fire and explosion on shipping and logistics company HMM's Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu began later last week after it was towed from the strait to a port in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Friday.
During the investigation, inspectors examined the ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) and surveillance camera footage, and interviewed crew members on board to determine what happened.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press briefing, during which spokesperson Park Il said investigators had confirmed that unidentified flying objects struck the stern of the vessel twice on May 4, roughly one minute apart.
According to Park, the objects were captured on CCTV footage, but officials have been unable to identify where they came from and what they were, due to insufficient evidence. The strikes left a hole about five meters wide that extended roughly seven meters into the ship. The fire is believed to have started after the first strike and rapidly intensified following the second one.
But the concrete findings of their inspection are expected to be disclosed soon after they return home and complete a review and evaluation with relevant agencies. Further analysis of debris and fragments recovered from the scene would also reveal more details about the incident.
A key question had been whether the fire was caused by an external factor such as an attack by Iran or others including a strike by an object like a drifting sea mine or by an internal cause such as a defect in the vessel or a malfunction.
Last week, when asked by reporters about his claims that Iran was behind the fire, which Tehran denies, U.S. President Donald Trump avoided answering and, in a somewhat baffling remark, said, "I love South Korea."
The fire broke out on May 4, following an explosion on the port side of the engine room while the Namu was anchored in the strait, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Meanwhile, all 24 crew members including six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals have disembarked after the vessel was towed to Dubai. But they are reportedly willing to board the vessel again once it is repaired, though they may temporarily return home if repairs take a long time.
Their inspection into the cause of the fire and explosion on shipping and logistics company HMM's Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu began later last week after it was towed from the strait to a port in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Friday.
During the investigation, inspectors examined the ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) and surveillance camera footage, and interviewed crew members on board to determine what happened.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press briefing, during which spokesperson Park Il said investigators had confirmed that unidentified flying objects struck the stern of the vessel twice on May 4, roughly one minute apart.
According to Park, the objects were captured on CCTV footage, but officials have been unable to identify where they came from and what they were, due to insufficient evidence. The strikes left a hole about five meters wide that extended roughly seven meters into the ship. The fire is believed to have started after the first strike and rapidly intensified following the second one.
But the concrete findings of their inspection are expected to be disclosed soon after they return home and complete a review and evaluation with relevant agencies. Further analysis of debris and fragments recovered from the scene would also reveal more details about the incident.
A key question had been whether the fire was caused by an external factor such as an attack by Iran or others including a strike by an object like a drifting sea mine or by an internal cause such as a defect in the vessel or a malfunction.
Last week, when asked by reporters about his claims that Iran was behind the fire, which Tehran denies, U.S. President Donald Trump avoided answering and, in a somewhat baffling remark, said, "I love South Korea."
The fire broke out on May 4, following an explosion on the port side of the engine room while the Namu was anchored in the strait, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Meanwhile, all 24 crew members including six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals have disembarked after the vessel was towed to Dubai. But they are reportedly willing to board the vessel again once it is repaired, though they may temporarily return home if repairs take a long time.
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