MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirms four Filipino seafarers were injured after their vessel was hit by a missile while docked at the port of Pivdennyi near Odesa, Ukraine on Wednesday.
In a statement released Thursday, the DFA said that they are coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) regarding reports that a Russian missile hit a civilian vessel in the Black Sea, killing a non-Filipino member of the vessel and injuring four Filipino seafarers.
Earlier, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said that initial reports reveal only three Filipino seafarers sustained injuries due to the missile attack but are now “out of danger” after receiving medical treatment and one was brought to the hospital in Odesa.
The DMW, meanwhile confirmed those injured are the ship’s Captain, Able Seaman, Deck Cadet and Ship’s Electrician (ETR), who were at the bridge of the Liberian-flagged ship Kmax Ruler when the incident happened.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said that the Filipino Captain, Deck Cadet and Able Seaman sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment on-board while the Ship’s Electrician suffered a fracture on his left hand and was brought to hospital for treatment.
“Thankfully, they were far enough from the point of impact and suffered non-fatal injuries. They are all out of danger,” said Cacdac.
Cacdac added that as soon as the DMW received the report of the incident, he instructed the manning agency and ship owner to extend assistance to the affected Filipino seafarers.
“As soon as we received the report of the incident, we instructed their manning agency and ship owner to determine what else can be done for them,” Cacdac added.
The DMW also has informed the families of the seafarers of their condition and is keeping them updated on the situation.
According to foreign media reports, the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, who is investigating the incident, said that the attack happened 16:45 local time or 14:45 GMT on Wednesday, while the ship was docked.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov confirms on social media that the ship was scheduled to deliver iron ore to China when the missile attack happened.
Reports also state that vessels going in or out of the port in Odesa are “at risk” of attacks from Russia after Moscow pulled out of negotiations earlier this year for a deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain.
