South Korean Team Says External Strike Caused Explosion on HMM Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz

A South Korean investigation team has concluded that an external strike caused the explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, the foreign ministry said Sunday. The announcement of the investigation conclusion was made on May 10, 2026.

It follows an on-site probe by a seven-member South Korean government team into the blast aboard the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu.

The explosion and subsequent fire broke out on May 4, 2026, while the vessel was anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates. The Namu is operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. -Israeli war against Iran that began in late February 2026.

The vessel was towed from the scene to a port in Dubai on May 8, 2026, for inspection. It is now docked at Drydocks World-Dubai in the namesake city of the United Arab Emirates. An image of the HMM Namu at the facility was taken on May 8, 2026.

There were 24 crew members on board the Namu, including six South Koreans. No injuries or casualties were reported among the crew. Yonhap reported from Seoul on May 10, 2026, that the South Korean team completed its investigation into the incident.

The findings mark the first official determination of the cause since the vessel was moved for closer examination in Dubai.