HMM Namu fire in Strait of Hormuz: Cause may take days to determine
South Korea's presidential office said on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, that it will likely take several days to determine the cause of an explosion and fire aboard the HMM Namu, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier operated by South Korean shipping major HMM Co., which was anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump claiming Iran fired at the vessel and calling on Seoul to join a mission to reopen the strategically vital waterway.
What Happened Aboard the HMM Namu
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 pm Monday (Korean Standard Time) while the HMM Namu was at anchor off the UAE coast. The fire broke out in the engine room, and crew members deployed carbon dioxide to fight the blaze over a period of roughly four hours. HMM confirmed that security camera footage showed the fire had been extinguished, and no injuries were reported among the 24 crew members on board — six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals.
Government Response and Investigation
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung made the remarks in a written briefing following a high-level meeting chaired by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik to coordinate the government's response, according to Yonhap news agency.
