March 21, 2006 – M/V Hyundai Fortune suffered a major explosion about 43 miles off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. An estimated 60 – 90 containers were blown overboard forming a debris field about 5 miles in diameter around the vessel. Fortunately, a destroyer from the Netherlands was nearby to provide assistance. All 27 of the crew were rescued, with just 1 receiving non-life threatening injuries.
The cause of the fire is not known but according to cargolaw:
“Photo analysis shows what appears to be a significant section of hull plating blown out above the waterline on the port side, under the house and aft deck (pictured above). If this is accurate, might have been an explosion inside a tank, as opposed to an explosion in a container.”
For more information on this and other maritime disasters, visit cargolaw.com
Even more information on the incident can be found HERE
Updated: February 5, 2026 (Originally published September 12, 2008)
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