Middle East War: South Korean ship on fire after explosion in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korean ship, the HMM Namu, is a versatile cargo ship of about 180 meters. This announcement from Seoul comes after Iranian state media reported that the Iranian Navy had fired warning shots in the strait.

An “explosion” followed by a fire hit a South Korean ship on Monday, May 4 in the Strait of Hormuz, announced the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which reported no casualties on board.

Since the Israeli-American offensive on February 28, Iran has been blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas production usually passes.

At around 8:40 pm in Seoul (11:40 GMT), “an explosion followed by a fire occurred on board a ship chartered by a South Korean shipping company, anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates, in the Strait of Hormuz,” the ministry said in a statement.

A versatile cargo ship of about 180 meters

“The causes of the explosion and fire, as well as the precise extent of the damage, are currently under investigation,” it added.

The vessel in question, the HMM Namu, is a versatile cargo ship of about 180 meters, flying the Panamanian flag, according to data from the MarineTraffic website.

This announcement from Seoul comes after Iranian state media reported on Monday that the Iranian Navy had fired warning shots in the strait, following the entry of American cruisers into the Persian Gulf as part of a plan to facilitate the departure of blocked commercial vessels.

“The South Korean government will stay in contact with the countries involved in this matter and will take necessary steps to ensure the safety of South Korean ships and crews in the Strait of Hormuz,” added the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Like many Asian economies, South Korea is heavily reliant on fuel imports from the Middle East, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.