Another Filipino seafarer dies in Black Sea attacks

Another Filipino seafarer has died amid the ongoing conflict in the northern Black Sea, bringing the death toll among Filipino mariners to three, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported Saturday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said 236 Filipino seafarers aboard 17 vessels have been affected by the conflict.

The number of Filipino seafarers killed has risen to three, while 15 others were injured and one remains missing.

“I am reporting that there is one more who died. So three of our countrymen have already died in the northern Black Sea attacks,” Cacdac said during a news forum in Quezon City.

Cacdac said he had visited the families of the slain seafarers to extend the government’s sympathies and provide assistance.

Based on DMW data, at least 17 commercial vessels manned by 236 Filipino seafarers have been hit by recent drone and missile strikes near Ukrainian ports.

Cacdac said 89 Filipinos, including nine of the injured, have returned home, while repatriation efforts remain ongoing.

“We have issued an advisory to manning agencies and ship owners. There are three items in that advisory. One, for the seafarers, all seafarers on attacked ships, to be repatriated,” he said.

The DMW also ordered ship owners and manning agencies to move Filipino mariners in the northern Black Sea to safer areas.

Ship owners were likewise advised to refrain from sending vessels with Filipino crew members to the northern Black Sea while the fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues.

The DMW also reiterated its high-risk advisory for the Black Sea following the reported casualties.