▲ The HMM Namu is docked at Drydocks World-Dubai in the namesake city of the United Arab Emirates on May 8, 2026, in this image from Yonhap News TV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korean vessel-Iran

Seoul concludes 'external strike' caused explosion on HMM vessel in Hormuz

SEOUL, May 10 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean investigation team has concluded that "an external strike" caused the explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, the foreign ministry said Sunday.

The announcement follows an on-site investigation by a seven-member government team into the explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co.

The explosion and subsequent fire broke out Monday while the vessel was anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates. The Namu, along with some 2,000 other vessels, has been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that began late February.

The vessel was towed from the scene to a port in Dubai on Friday for inspection.

There were 24 crew members on board, including six South Koreans, with no injuries or casualties reported.

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