Two Filipino seafarers were killed while another remains missing after commercial vessels carrying Filipino crew members came under attack in the northern Black Sea off southern Ukraine, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Monday.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that as of 20 July, nine vessels carrying Filipino seafarers have reportedly been attacked in Ukraine and Russia.

“As of 20 July, nine ships carrying Filipino seafarers have reportedly been attacked, primarily through drone strikes while transiting or berthed at ports in Ukraine and Russia,” Cacdac said in a press briefing in Mandaluyong City.

“We are sad to report that there have been two fatalities from these attacks,” he added.

Aside from the two victims, Cacdac said 12 other Filipinos were injured and one remains missing.

“Twelve were injured and one is missing, underscoring the increasingly volatile security environment in the Black Sea,” he said, noting that the attacks have largely targeted bulk carriers and oil tankers, with incidents occurring even near ports and anchorages in southern Ukraine.

According to Cacdac, most of the vessels sustained damage from unmanned aerial vehicle or drone attacks while at anchor or shortly after departing port.

The DMW, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, has been coordinating with manning agencies and shipowners to ensure the safety and welfare of the Filipino crew members.

“We have been monitoring the situation through the licensed manning agencies and coordinating with shipowners to ensure the safety and welfare of affected Filipino seafarers,” Cacdac said.

He noted that security incidents involving commercial vessels in the Black Sea have escalated significantly over the past two weeks.

The injured Filipino seafarers, whose identities are being withheld for security reasons, have received medical treatment.

“Medical treatment, psychological support, evacuation, and repatriation arrangements are being facilitated for the injured crew members and those requiring immediate assistance,” Cacdac said.

So far, four of the injured seafarers have been repatriated to the Philippines, while efforts are ongoing to recover and repatriate the remains of the two fatalities and locate the missing crew member.

Cacdac said the family of one of the deceased seafarers has been informed, while authorities are still contacting the family of the second fatality.

“We have identified our seafarer and have communicated with the family. We are arranging for the repatriation of his remains and the assistance that the DMW will provide. The second incident happened only yesterday, so we are still in the process of reaching out to the family,” he said.