PHILIPPINES: Two Filipino seafarers were killed and 12 others wounded after a wave of drone strikes hit commercial vessels in the northern Black Sea, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Monday, July 20. One crew member is still unaccounted for as search efforts continue.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac shared the grim update during a press briefing, describing a series of attacks on ships either passing through the northern Black Sea or docked at ports in southern Ukraine.
What Happened
Cacdac said the deaths and injuries came from separate incidents involving multiple vessels. Based on the latest figures from the DMW:
- 9 ships carrying Filipino crew members have been attacked so far
- 2 seafarers were confirmed dead
- 12 crew members sustained injuries
- 1 seafarer remains missing
- 4 of the injured have already been flown home for medical care
The names of the two who died, along with the missing seafarer, are being withheld until their families are informed.
Support for Affected Filipinos
The DMW said it is working closely with several agencies and partners to help the crew members and their loved ones. This includes:
- Philippine embassies abroad
- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Licensed manning agencies
- Shipowners and shipping companies
- Foreign authorities on the ground
Their focus right now is locating the missing seafarer, assisting the wounded, and giving support to grieving families.
A Recognized War-Like Zone
The northern Black Sea has been tagged by the DMW and the International Bargaining Forum as a high-risk, war-like zone. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has turned the area into one of the most dangerous stretches of water for merchant shipping, with threats ranging from drones and missiles to naval mines.
Know Your Rights at Sea
The DMW reminded Filipino seafarers that they are not required to accept jobs in dangerous zones. Key protections include:
- The right to refuse any voyage into high-risk areas
- Extra compensation and benefits under international labor agreements for those who do sail through these zones
Ship operators, meanwhile, were told to follow safety protocols strictly.
The agency added that it continues to track the situation closely and will release more updates as new details emerge on the missing seafarer and the ships involved.