HMM Namu Fire Caused by Two Aerial Vehicle Strikes, Officials Confirm

The South Korean government announced on the 10th that the cause of the fire on the Korean vessel HMM Namu, which occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, was the impact from two external aerial vehicles.

The joint government investigation team explained that two unidentified aerial vehicles collided with the port side stern ballast tank area of the HMM Namu at approximately 3:30 p.m. on April 4th (local time), with about a one-minute interval. A breach approximately 5 meters wide and 7 meters deep was confirmed at the impact site, and the inward buckling of the outer hull supported the damage being caused by external pressure.

The government stated that while evidence, including CCTV footage showing the aerial vehicles and engine debris, was secured from the scene, the specific attacker and the type of aircraft are still in the detailed analysis stage. The collected evidence will be transported to South Korea for further examination.