[Anchor] A tugboat towing HMM’s Namoo, which suffered an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, departed a short time ago. The vessel is scheduled to be moved to a nearby Dubai port. We go now to our correspondent on the scene for details. Kim Seon‑hong, over to you. [Reporter] Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A tugboat left moments ago for Dubai Port to tow the Namoo, which has been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after an explosion and a fire. HMM officials said the tug departed at about 5:42 p.m. Korea Standard Time; an arrival time has not been set. The fire originated in the engine room, leaving the Namoo unable to move under its own power. The vessel will be taken to Dubai Drydocks World, the Middle East’s largest repair yard, at Dubai Port. Towing operations began at 6 a.m. local time today, and the tug got underway roughly seven hours after crews began work. The distance from the incident site to Dubai Port is about 70 kilometers (roughly 43.5 miles). Towing has proceeded more slowly than initially expected, so transit will likely take significantly longer than planned. An HMM official said, given sea conditions, the operation “could be like driving a tractor on a highway,” and estimated the tow could take about 12 hours; at the earliest, the ship may arrive tonight. [Anchor] Once the towing is complete, will investigators begin the on‑site probe immediately? [Reporter] Yes. Once the Namoo is in the Dubai shipyard, repairs will begin and a formal investigation into the accident will be launched. The probe will include personnel from the Korean Register’s Dubai branch, inspectors from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal, and forensic specialists from the National Fire Agency. The United States and Iran have traded competing claims about the cause of the fire. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said the Namoo was struck while operating alone; Iran dismissed that as an unfounded allegation. South Korean officials say a strike has not been confirmed. International security sources have suggested an underwater drone or a drifting floating mine could have caused the explosion. All 24 crew members aboard, including six South Korean nationals, have been confirmed safe. They have chosen to remain on site rather than return home. Authorities report that 25 South Korean vessels and about 150 seafarers remain immobilized in the Strait of Hormuz. The South Korean government has activated a 24‑hour emergency control tower. This is Kim Seon‑hong reporting for Yonhap News TV from Dubai. [Live connection: Ham Jeong‑tae] #US #Iran #Hormuz #Dubai #Namoo Yonhap News TV — story tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Kim Seon‑hong (redsun@yna.co.kr)
What Caused the HMM ‘Namwoo’ Fire? Investigations Begin as Tugboat Arrives in Dubai
Kim Sun-hong. | 2026.05.08
[Anchor] A tugboat towing HMM’s Namoo, which suffered an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, departed a short time ago. The vessel is scheduled to be moved to a nearby Dubai port. We go now to our correspondent on the scene for details. Kim Seon‑hong, over to you. [Reporter] Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A tugboat left moments ago for Dubai Port to tow the Namoo, which has been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after an explosion and a fire. HMM officials said the tug departed at about 5:42 p.m. Korea Standard Time; an arrival time has not been set. The fire originated in the engine room, leaving the Namoo unable to move under its own power. The vessel will be taken to Dubai Drydocks World, the Middle East’s largest repair yard, at Dubai Port. Towing operations began at 6 a.m. local time today, and the tug got underway roughly seven hours after crews began work. The distance from the incident site to Dubai Port is about 70 kilometers (roughly 43.5 miles). Towing has proceeded more slowly than initially expected, so transit will likely take significantly longer than planned. An HMM official said, given sea conditions, the operation “could be like driving a tractor on a highway,” and estimated the tow could take about 12 hours; at the earliest, the ship may arrive tonight. [Anchor] Once the towing is complete, will investigators begin the on‑site probe immediately? [Reporter] Yes. Once the Namoo is in the Dubai shipyard, repairs will begin and a formal investigation into the accident will be launched. The probe will include personnel from the Korean Register’s Dubai branch, inspectors from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal, and forensic specialists from the National Fire Agency. The United States and Iran have traded competing claims about the cause of the fire. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said the Namoo was struck while operating alone; Iran dismissed that as an unfounded allegation. South Korean officials say a strike has not been confirmed. International security sources have suggested an underwater drone or a drifting floating mine could have caused the explosion. All 24 crew members aboard, including six South Korean nationals, have been confirmed safe. They have chosen to remain on site rather than return home. Authorities report that 25 South Korean vessels and about 150 seafarers remain immobilized in the Strait of Hormuz. The South Korean government has activated a 24‑hour emergency control tower. This is Kim Seon‑hong reporting for Yonhap News TV from Dubai. [Live connection: Ham Jeong‑tae] #US #Iran #Hormuz #Dubai #Namoo Yonhap News TV — story tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Kim Seon‑hong (redsun@yna.co.kr)
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