SEOUL: South Korea has launched an investigation into a fire aboard a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, after Donald Trump claimed the incident was caused by an Iranian attack.
Authorities said the exact cause would be determined once the ship is towed to port and a full damage assessment is completed.
The Panama-flagged vessel, operated by HMM, was empty and anchored when the explosion and fire broke out on Monday. Officials confirmed there were no casualties and that the fire has since been extinguished.
The ship, named HMM Namu, will be moved to a nearby port for inspection and repairs. All 24 crew members remain on board the 35,000-ton vessel.
According to the company, the fire originated in the engine room, with surveillance footage showing it being brought under control.
A British maritime risk firm suggested investigators would examine whether the damage was caused by an attack, a drifting sea mine, or another external factor.
In response, South Korean authorities advised ships in the area to move to safer locations and said they are coordinating closely with shipping companies. The government also noted that 26 South Korean-flagged vessels are currently stranded near the waterway.
Trump, posting on social media, said Iran had fired at the vessel and other targets as part of ongoing tensions. He also urged South Korea to join efforts to secure the passage, a key route that carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Seoul has previously stated it would carefully review any request to join a naval coalition in the region, noting that such a move would require legislative approval.
