South Korea Reports Explosion and Fire on Ship in Strait of Hormuz; Trump Blames Iran
A South Korean-operated vessel caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates, with 24 crew members on board. South Korea's Foreign Ministry stated the cause was unclear, while U.S. President Trump accused Iran of launching the attack. The incident occurred in a critical oil shipping route, raising regional tensions.
Where Sources Diverge
Some sources reported the incident as occurring on May 4, 2026, while others provided more specific times, such as 8:40 PM in Seoul.
The incident occurred at around 8:40pm in Seoul.
Published on May 4, 2026.
Published on May 4, 2026.
The cause of the incident was reported as unclear by most sources, but some attributed it to an Iranian attack.
Trump blamed Iranian attack.
Trump said Iran fired at ship.
Cause of Hormuz ship fire unclear.
Timelines
Sources
“The exact cause of the accident would be figured out after the vessel is towed and its damage is assessed,” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement
South Korea to probe ship fire in Strait of Hormuz, Trump blames Iranian attack The Straits Times
South Korea says cause of Hormuz ship fire unclear Middle East Eye
South Korea Says Its Ship Damaged in Hormuz for First Time Bloomberg.com
South Korean-operated vessel ablaze in Strait of Hormuz; Trump says Iran fired at ship Reuters
There were 24 crew members on board, including six citizens of the Republic of Korea
(3rd LD) Explosion followed by fire reported on S. Korean vessel in Strait of Hormuz: foreign ministry Yonhap News Agency
There were no casualties reported and authorities were investigating what caused the blaze.
Fire, explosion hit South Korean-run vessel in Strait of Hormuz, Seoul says The Straits Times
Seoul said on Monday that an “explosion and fire” had struck a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial Middle Eastern waterway effectively blocked following US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The foreign ministry said that, at around 8.40pm in Seoul, “an explosion and fire occurred on a vessel operated by a South Korean shipping company … anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz”. There had been “no casualties to date” among the 24 crew members on...
Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ struck South Korean ship in Strait of Hormuz Al Arabiya English
(2nd LD) Explosion followed by fire reported on S. Korean vessel in Strait of Hormuz: foreign ministry Yonhap News Agency
South Korea reports ‘explosion and fire’ on ship in Hormuz, cause unclear Middle East Eye
🔴 Live: Seoul says 'explosion and fire' on S. Korean ship in Hormuz strait France 24