SEOUL, May 05 (AJP) - South Korea has confirmed Tuesday that all 24 crew members of the HMM NAMU are safe and the onboard fire has been extinguished following an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz. The confirmation allows the government to transition from an emergency rescue operation to a technical investigation into the cause of the damage.
The HMM NAMU, a vessel operated by the flagship carrier HMM, suffered the explosion at 8:40 pm (1140 GMT) on Monday near the United Arab Emirates. The ship is currently stationary and inoperable, requiring a tugboat for transport to a nearby port for a full damage assessment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported at 9:49 am on Tuesday that the crew consists of six South Korean nationals and 18 foreign sailors. While the fire has been suppressed, the ministry noted that the ship cannot navigate under its own power and the exact cause of the blast remains unknown.
Government authorities are currently seeking available tugboats to move the vessel to a secure location. A specific towing schedule has not yet been determined as officials evaluate the logistics of the recovery and the current conditions of the regional waterway.
Following the blast, Donald Trump claimed on the Truth Social platform that Iran was responsible and urged South Korea to join a military mission called Project Freedom. South Korean officials have maintained a cautious stance, stating that a formal determination will follow a physical inspection at a dock.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries remain in constant communication with regional missions in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai.
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