South Korean Probe Says Unidentified Projectiles Hit HMM Ship Near Persian Gulf

South Korean authorities said their investigation found that two unidentified projectiles struck the cargo vessel HMM Namu during an incident near the Persian Gulf on May 4, causing a major fire onboard and serious damage to the ship.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, investigators reviewed CCTV footage, inspected the damaged areas of the vessel, and interviewed the captain and crew members. Officials said the evidence showed that two airborne objects hit the vessel about one minute apart while the ship was anchored near Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates.

The Panama-flagged HMM Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, reportedly suffered heavy damage on the port side of the stern area. Authorities said the impact created a hole measuring around five meters wide and extended several meters into the hull. Investigators also noted signs of strong explosive pressure outside the vessel.

South Korean officials said the first strike likely started a fire near the ballast tank area, while the second impact caused the flames to spread rapidly into the engine room. The fire later disabled the vessel and forced emergency actions onboard.

The vessel was later towed to Dubai and brought to Drydocks World shipyard for further examination. A joint investigation team composed of marine safety investigators and forensic experts is continuing to collect debris and other evidence to determine the exact type of projectile involved in the incident.

South Korean authorities have not officially identified who may be responsible for the strike. Officials said the CCTV footage was not clear enough to determine the exact nature of the airborne objects. Iran has also denied involvement in the incident following reports linking tensions in the Strait of Hormuz to attacks on commercial vessels operating in the region.