DMW verifying 2 missing, 2 hurt Pinoy seafarers in Yemen ship attack
According to a Reuters report, the Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C had 22 crew members on board, comprising 21 Filipinos and one Russian.
The report also noted that two crew members were missing while another two were injured.
The ship was attacked with sea drones and skiffs 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah on Monday.
In a press briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac noted that the agency is in close coordination with the manning agency of the Filipino seafarers.
'The shipowner is having difficulty communicating with them,' Cacdac said.
He added that DMW is reaching out to the families of the Filipino seafarers and working with international organizations such as the International Transport Workers' Federation and the Seafarers International Union.
17 Pinoy seafarers safe
Meanwhile, DMW reported that 17 Filipino seafarers were safe after escaping the Liberian-flagged vessel they were boarding, which was under attack by alleged Houthi rebels on Saturday.
In a statement on Tuesday, DMW said MV Magic Seas was attacked by men with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades while it was sailing roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah.
'The ship's security team, composed of four armed personnel, was able to repel the attack by returning fire. This led to the escape of the ship's crew, who were later rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism,' the statement read.
The Filipino seafarers, along with two other crew members, were accounted for and safely accommodated at a hotel in Djibouti in East Africa.
"The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the LMA (licensed manning agency) to facilitate the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers," Cacdac said.
'We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr) informed of any significant developments as they arise," he added.
Cacdac also assured that immediate assistance will be provided to the Filipino seafarers and their families. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
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