Fire, explosion hit South Korean-run vessel in Strait of Hormuz, Seoul says

A fire and an explosion struck a vessel operated by South Korean shipper HMM in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, South Korea’s foreign ministry said.

The government was reviewing intelligence suggesting that the vessel, HMM Namu, may have been attacked, Yonhap News reported, citing government officials.

No casualties were reported, and authorities were investigating the cause of the blaze, which HMM said originated in the engine room of the Panama-flagged cargo ship.

The company told Reuters that 24 crew members were on board, including six South Korean nationals.

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Read More: Iran's IRGC claims hitting US warship in Hormuz, but CENTCOM denies

The US military said two US Navy guided-missile destroyers had entered the Gulf to break an Iranian blockade, and that two US merchant ships had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz. This came after Iran said it had prevented a US warship from entering the Gulf.

“Our government will communicate closely with relevant countries regarding this matter and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of our vessels and crew members inside the Strait of Hormuz,” South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Seoul has said that 26 South Korean-flagged vessels were stranded in the area.