Dubai: South Korea reported that a vessel under its operation suffered an explosion and burst into flames on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, with US President Donald Trump attributing the incident to an Iranian assault, Reuters reported.
The South Korean foreign ministry said a fire and explosion occurred on the vessel managed by the South Korean carrier HMM, stating no injuries occurred and that probes into the incident’s origin were underway.
Trump said Iran fired shots at the South Korean cargo ship and some other targets as the US launched an operation seeking to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. He urged South Korea to join that effort.
An HMM spokesperson explained the fire started in the engine room of the Panama-flagged cargo ship, which had 24 crew aboard including six Korean nationals. The cause of the blaze remained unknown and under investigation.
Surveillance footage confirmed the fire was out, though the spokesperson noted towing the vessel to Dubai might require several days.
Reports indicated several commercial ships struck and a UAE oil port in flames following an Iranian attack, marking the conflict’s most significant flare-up since a ceasefire took hold four weeks back, as Trump’s US Navy bid to clear shipping lanes drew retaliation.
“Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Yonhap News, citing government officials, reported Seoul reviewing intelligence that the HMM Namu may have come under attack.
“Our government will communicate closely with relevant countries regarding this matter and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of our vessels and crew members inside the Strait of Hormuz,” South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Seoul indicated 26 South Korean-flagged ships were stuck there.
The empty 35,000-ton general cargo vessel drew no specific cargo, according to the HMM spokesperson.
British maritime risk firm Vanguard noted in an advisory that officials would assess if damage stemmed from an assault, a loose sea mine, or some other foreign item.
Trump in a post on Truth Social also suggested it could be time for South Korea to join his new effort to help guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea has previously said it would carefully consider Trump’s call for countries to deploy navy ships to form a coalition to ensure safe passage through the waterway, while also stressing such a move would require legislative approval.
