MANILA, Philippines — Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Monday said two Filipino seafarers onboard ships reportedly attacked in the northern Black Sea died.
“As of July 20, nine ships carrying Filipino seafarers have reportedly been attacked…primarily through drone strikes while transiting or berthed at ports in Ukraine and in Russia. And as I mentioned, this is northern Black Sea but southern portion of Ukraine,” Cacdac said in Filipino and English in a briefing.
“Now, 139 [seafarers] and we are sad to report that there have been two fatalities out of these attacks, 12 injured, and one missing,” he said.
Cacdac said the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration were monitoring as well as closely coordinating with manning agencies and ship principals or owners “to ensure the safety and welfare of affected Filipino seafarers.”
“Medical treatment, psychological support, evacuation, and repatriation arrangements are being facilitated for the crew, injured crew members, and those requiring immediate assistance,” he said.
Cacdac said four of 12 injured Filipino seafarers were already repatriated while efforts were ongoing “for the recovery, repatriation of” the two dead ones “and the missing crew members.”
As of the time of the briefing, the DMW was set to provide assistance to the families of the deceased.
