Two Filipino Seafarers Killed, One Missing After Drone Attacks on Ships in Black Sea

MANILA, July 20: At least two Filipino seafarers were killed and one remains missing after commercial vessels were struck by drones in separate incidents in the Black Sea, Philippine authorities said on Monday.

The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers said the attacks occurred on July 6 and July 19 while the ships were operating in the northern Black Sea. Twelve other Filipino crew members were injured in the incidents.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said efforts are underway to recover and repatriate the bodies of the two deceased seafarers and locate the missing crew member.

According to the department, nine ships carrying 139 Filipino seafarers were damaged in attacks while transiting the northern Black Sea. The remaining 124 Filipino crew members were reported safe and unharmed.

The incidents follow reports from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) that two oil tankers—the Liberia-flagged ASIA and the Marshall Islands-flagged NISSOS IOS—were attacked by drones near its Black Sea terminal. CPC condemned the strikes, describing them as the fifth act of direct aggression against what it said was civilian infrastructure protected under international law.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had struck two tankers in the Black Sea, alleging the vessels were being used to transport Russian oil, petroleum products, and fuel.