All Crew Disembarked
Authorities are on the second day of a joint probe into the HMM NAMU after an explosion and fire forced the Panama-flagged bulk carrier to be towed to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All 24 crew members have disembarked. The joint investigation, which began the previous day, includes inspectors from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and forensic experts from the National Fire Agency. Investigators are focused on whether the incident was caused by an external attack — including a possible Iranian strike — or by internal factors such as a shipboard defect.
Shipping sources said the 24 crew members left the vessel after interviews the previous night. An HMM spokesperson confirmed the crew are ashore and said the 9th’s investigative schedule has not yet been set.
The NAMU was towed to Drydock World Dubai for repairs and further examination. Investigators entered the engine room where the fire broke out, surveyed the scene, and secured closed‑circuit television (CCTV) footage, voyage data recorder (VDR) files, and crew statements.
Officials said there is no evidence of hull breaches or flooding. Because the interior fire scene remains largely intact, it should help investigators determine the cause. Still, fire damage to machinery is extensive, and pinpointing the ignition point and reaching a final determination could take time.
The ship suffered an explosion and fire on the port side of the engine room on the evening of the 4th, about 8:40 p.m., while anchored north of Sharjah. The vessel is operated by HMM. None of the 24 crew members — six Koreans and 18 foreign nationals — were injured.
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