Mystery Unveiled: What Caused the HMM Namoo Fire in the Strait of Hormuz?

Jung Young-bin | 2026.05.11

Translation result.[Anchor] A government probe has concluded that the fire aboard the HMM cargo ship Namu, which broke out while the vessel was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, was caused by a strike from an unidentified aircraft. We’ve just received the investigation findings. Now we’ll connect to our field reporter for more details. Reporter Jeong Young-bin.[Reporter] The government released the results of a joint investigation into the HMM Namu’s fire a short time ago. Investigators say an unidentified aircraft struck the ship’s stern on May 4, though they face limitations in identifying the exact aircraft type or its size. Officials plan further analysis of debris recovered from the scene.The incident occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on May 4. While anchored near the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz, an explosion tore through the port side of the cargo ship’s engine room, igniting a fire. The vessel had departed Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in March en route to China but became trapped after Iran imposed restrictions on the strait. Crews extinguished the fire within four hours, and there were no reported injuries.After the incident, President Trump claimed the South Korean cargo ship was attacked while operating alone in the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities later moved HMM Namu to the Drydocks World shipyard in Dubai. A joint government investigation team was dispatched to the site for three days to conduct the inquiry.The investigative team included inspectors from the Central Maritime Safety Tribunal under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and forensic specialists from the National Fire Agency. All crew members disembarked while the probe was underway. Investigators entered the engine room on the first day and performed a detailed forensic examination to determine the cause.The government maintained a cautious posture throughout the probe, saying it would shape its policy response only after establishing a cause. With the investigation concluding that the fire resulted from an external strike, defense officials and analysts will be watching closely for what actions Seoul takes next.Reporting from the newsroom, this is the News Desk.[News Review] Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Reporter Jeong Young-bin (jyb21@yna.co.kr)
Jung Young-bin

Jung Young-bin

Mystery Unveiled: What Caused the HMM Namoo Fire in the Strait of Hormuz?