THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday said it is currently verifying if the two injured and two missing crew members of the bulk carrier MV Eternity C which was attacked off the coasts of Yemen are Filipinos.
In an online media briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that they are currently checking if the reported casualties among the 22 crew members are Filipino seafarers.
A day earlier, another bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas, was also attacked in the Red Sea by the Houthi rebels.
According to Cacdac, all 19 crew members — including 17 Filipinos — are safe and out of harm’s way.
The international media reported the attack on the MV Eternity C.
“There are reports of two missing and two wounded. We are in close coordination with the manning agency, the principal, or the ship owner to determine if these are Filipinos,” said Cacdac.
He said they are having a hard time communicating with the 21 Filipino crew members because the ship was attacked near Yemen and it has significantly damaged the communication systems of the ship.
Cacdac said the Department has already reached out to more than 50 percent of the 21 families of the seafarers.
On Monday, the MV Eternity C was attacked with sea drones and skiffs, with the vessel’s bridge and telecommunications among those hit.
