DMW verifying if Pinoys among seafarers hurt in Gulf of Aden attack

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said it is verifying whether Filipinos were wounded after the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht was attacked in the Gulf of Aden.

“Agad pong nakikipag-ugnayan ang DMW sa ship operator, employer, mga manning agency, at sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) kasama ang ating mga konsulado upang beripikahin kung may Pilipino ngang kabilang sa mga apektado,” DMW said in a social media post.

(DMW immediately coordinated with the ship owner, employer, manning agencies, and the DFA, along with our consulate, to verify if any Filipinos were affected.)

The DMW said it is ready to give the following assistance to affected Filipino seafarers: medical assistance, repatriation, counseling and psychological support, legal aid, and other assistance needed by the seafarer and their families.

According to a Reuters report, rescuers evacuated the ship’s 19 crew members--  Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan-- after it was attacked with an explosive device and caught on fire.

DMW said it will give an update once they receive confirmation.

One person was reported wounded and in stable condition, while another was reportedly seriously hurt and is being transported to Djibouti in East Africa. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News