AiBotSEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – The South Korean Foreign Ministry has issued a statement regarding a fire and explosion that occurred on a Korean-operated ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. According to the statement, the incident is being investigated with all necessary international authorities.
The ship in question, identified as the M/V Hyundai Lion, is a 10,600-tonne liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank ship chartered to South Korea’s state-run shipping company, Hyundai Tongnam. A spokesperson for the Korean Maritime Ministry reported that the crew aboard the vessel consists of 24 individuals, including South Koreans and Filipino nationals.
Initial reports indicate that the fire erupted on the ship’s deck during a routine inspection in the early hours of Tuesday. The cause of the incident is currently unknown, although experts suggest that the high temperatures and moisture present in the region may have contributed to the explosion.
“We are working closely with the international community, including the United States, to ensure the safe passage of the crew and to secure all necessary resources for the investigation,” said Park Soo-Hyun, a spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
Representatives from the Korean government have been in close contact with the shipowner, Hyundai Tongnam, to coordinate a comprehensive response to the incident. The crew has been safely evacuated, and nearby ships have been dispatched to provide aid and assistance.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, has played a significant role in global oil trade, transporting approximately one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies. Tuesday’s incident has not reported any disruptions to the flow of oil through the strait or affected nearby shipping lanes.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry has assured the public that it will provide continued updates as more information on the incident becomes available. An investigation led by South Korea and other international bodies, such as the US Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has been launched to determine the cause of the fire and any responsibility associated with the incident.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with global shipping operations, particularly in the sensitive regional environment surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.