7 Filipino seafarers hurt after drone attack on container ship in Strait of Hormuz

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday confirmed that seven Filipino crew members of a container ship were injured after the vessel was attacked by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, DMW Hans Leo Cacdac said three of the seven injured Filipino seafarers of the CMA CGM San Antonio are currently in in the intensive care unit (ICU) of an undisclosed hospital in the country nearest to the Strait of Hormuz.

They are in safe condition but are under close monitoring.

“Because mayroong explosion on board ‘yung drone attack, mayroong burns, at gas inhalation in the process (Because there was an explosion on board due to the drone attack, there were burns and gas inhalation in the process),” Cacdac said.

The San Antonio was reportedly attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, leaving the vessel damaged and its crew members injured.

“Tatlo in more serious condition na mino-monitor din natin ngayon (Three are in more serious condition that we are also monitoring),” he added.

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping line and owner of the container ship, said the injured seafarers have been evacuated for medical treatment.

The attack came amid continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route where several vessels have reportedly been affected by the conflict involving Iran.

The waterway remains a key passage for international oil and commercial shipping.

The attack happened two days before US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran had “very good talks,” raising the possibility of an agreement that could help end the conflict.

As of Thursday, May 7, the DMW said more than 1,300 Filipino crew members aboard various vessels have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz.

However, thousands of other Filipino seafarers remain in the Persian Gulf and have yet to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the agency added. — JMA, GMA News