Two Filipino seafarers were killed after unidentified projectiles struck a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire on board, Philippine government officials and the vessel’s operator said Wednesday.
The attack on the tanker SIDR occurred late Monday night as the ship prepared to transit the narrow waterway, according to Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. The crew successfully contained the resulting blaze, but two of the 16 Filipino crew members on board died from the assault.
The vessel’s operator, Bahri, said the incident took place around 11:40 p.m. local time on Monday. The company expressed deep sadness over the deaths and stated it is coordinating with maritime stakeholders and relevant authorities while providing support to the crew and affected families.
The ship has since moved off the coast of Oman, where the 14 surviving Filipino crew members disembarked unharmed alongside the remains of the two victims. Cacdac said the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Oman are actively working with local authorities to arrange the repatriation of all 16 crew members.
Following a directive from the Philippine president, Cacdac said he plans to personally visit the families of the deceased sailors within the next 48 hours as officials continue to investigate the full circumstances of the attack.
The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers remains on red alert regarding maritime transit in the area, maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz is a high-risk, war-like zone. Philippine regulations urge ship operators to avoid deploying Filipino crews through the corridor whenever feasible and mandate strict safety measures, including security escorts, armed guards, thorough risk assessments, and the legal right for seafarers to refuse passage through dangerous waters.
According to department data, 31 vessels carrying a total of 421 Filipino seafarers have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28. While 406 survived unharmed and 268 have already returned home, the incidents have resulted in three deaths, 10 injuries, and one crew member remaining officially missing.
