7 PINOY SEAMEN HURT IN IRAN DRONE ATTACK IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ  — DFA

AT least seven Filipino seafarers were injured after the Malta-flagged container vessel MV San Antonio was hit by a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday confirmed.

In a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the seven Filipinos were among the eight crew members injured when the ship was struck by an Iranian drone.

“Based on our records, it is a Maltese, Malta-flagged ship, and ang situation is na-attack siya around May 5. As per report, it was a drone attack. It was an Iranian drone attack that hit the ship,” Cacdac said.

“There are several crew on board. Seven of them are Filipino crew, Filipino seafarers. All seafarers are okay. They are alive. They survived the attack. However, they suffered injuries one way or another,” he added.

According to Cacdac, all the injured Filipino crew members are being treated in an undisclosed hospital.

He said of the seven crew, four suffered minor injuries, while three are currently being monitored and treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) after incurring more serious injuries.

He, however, assured that the injuries are not life-threatening.

Cacdac said the injuries were attributed to burns and gas inhalation following the explosion caused by the drone strike.

“Rest assured, the seafarers are alive. They survived the attack, and they had been taken out of the ship. And our relevant, di ko muna sasabihin kung anong embassy,” the DMW head said.

Cacdac said the Philippine embassy and labor officials have already coordinated with hospital authorities and have been able to communicate with the injured seafarers under medical supervision.

He added that Philippine government officials will soon visit the injured Filipino seafarers and provide assistance in coordination with the host government.

Meanwhile, Cacdac also reported that more than 1,400 Filipino seafarers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters amid the ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East.