South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed an explosion and fire aboard a Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, with no casualties reported so far.
The ministry said an explosion and fire broke out around 8 p.m. on Wednesday aboard the HMM NAMU, a Panamanian-flagged vessel operated by a Korean shipping company, while it was anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying six Korean crew members and 18 foreign crew members, and no casualties have been confirmed so far. The cause of the explosion and fire as well as specific damage details are still being verified.
"We will communicate closely with relevant countries on this matter and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of our vessels and crew inside the Strait of Hormuz," the ministry said.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the explosion occurred around 8:40 p.m. on the port side of the engine room of the vessel, which was anchored in the waters of Umm Al Quwain Port inside the Strait of Hormuz.
