2 Pinoys killed, 2 critical in Houthi attack

Fatalities among 15 Filipino crewmen of bulk carrier on way to Jeddah

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

Two Filipino seafarers were killed and two others seriously wounded in the latest attack by Houthi rebels on ships cruising the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

"With great sadness, the Department of Migrant Workers confirms the deaths of two Filipino seafarers in the most recent attack by Houthi rebels on ships plying the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," the DMW said in a statement released yesterday.

It said it opted to withhold the names and identities of the Filipino fatalities and two other victims for reasons of privacy.

The victims were among 15 Filipino crewmembers of the Barbados-flagged, Liberianowned bulk carrier True Confidence, which was on its way to Jeddah from China carrying steel when attacked.

The department extended its condolences to the family of the two Filipino fatalities. It also said it had already informed the families of the condition of the two Filipinos wounded in the attack.

The DMW assured the seafarers' families of full support and assistance. The agency directed the ship's manning agency and ship owner to ascertain the conditions of the rest of the ship's crew, particularly the other Filipinos.