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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DMW: 2 Filipino seafarers dead, 12 hurt, 1 missing in Black Sea drone strikes

DMW: 2 Filipino seafarers dead, 12 hurt, 1 missing in Black Sea drone strikes

Published Jul 20, 2026 03:51 pm
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac (center) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan (right) join other DMW officials during a press briefing on the latest developments affecting Filipino workers in the Black Sea and Ukrainian ports. (Screenshot from DMW Facebook Live)
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac (center) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan (right) join other DMW officials during a press briefing on the latest developments affecting Filipino workers in the Black Sea and Ukrainian ports. (Screenshot from DMW Facebook Live)
Two Filipino seafarers died, 12 others were injured, and one remains missing after drone attacks struck commercial ships in the northern Black Sea, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Monday, July 20.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said four of the injured seafarers had already been repatriated to the Philippines for medical treatment, while authorities continue to monitor the condition of the others and search for the missing crew member.
The casualties were recorded in separate attacks involving vessels transiting the northern Black Sea or docking at ports in southern Ukraine, Cacdac added.
“As of July 20, nine ships carrying Filipino seafarers have reportedly been attacked while either transiting the northern Black Sea or docking at ports in southern Ukraine,” he said.
The identities of the two fatalities and the missing seafarer have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
The DMW is coordinating with Philippine embassies, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), licensed manning agencies, shipowners, shipping companies, and foreign authorities to assist the affected seafarers, locate the missing crew member, and provide support to the families of those who died.
The northern Black Sea has been classified as a high-risk, war-like zone by the DMW and the International Bargaining Forum amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The area has become increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping, exposing merchant vessels and their crews to drone and missile attacks, naval mines, and other wartime threats.
The DMW reiterated its advisory urging seafarers to avoid voyages in high-risk zones and reminded them of their right to refuse assignments in such areas.
Filipino seafarers assigned to vessels entering the northern Black Sea are entitled to additional protections and compensation under international labor agreements, while ship operators were urged to strictly observe safety protocols.
The DMW said it is closely monitoring developments and will provide further updates as new information becomes available on the missing seafarer and the affected vessels.

Related Tags

Filipino seafarers Black Sea drone attacks Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac Russia-Ukraine conflict Ukraine maritime security seafarers missing Filipino seafarer
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