Manila: At least 174 of the 282 Filipino seafarers affected in the attacks on ships in the Northern Black Sea have so far returned to the country, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview Wednesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 upon his arrival from his trip to Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Trkiye, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that efforts continue to bring home those Filipino seafarers still in Romania and Trkiye. He said one of the primary objectives of his trip is to visit the Filipino seafarers in Romania and Istanbul, following drone attacks in the Northern Black Sea. Based on their count, there were 20 ships attacked in the Northern Black Sea, with 282 Filipino seafarers on board those ships. The good news is that approximately 261 out of the 282 are safe and unharmed, and out of the 261, 174 have returned home, making it approximately 70 percent of the affected crew members who have alr eady returned home. Unfortunately, Cacdac reported that three Filipino seafarers were killed in the attacks, while one remains missing. Of the three fatalities, one has already been returned to the country, the second remains in Tulcea, Romania, and is scheduled to arrive on Friday, while arrangements for the repatriation of the third are underway. The attacks involved drones and missiles, with the number of strikes varying from one vessel to another. Those who have not yet returned are being flown home in batches, with Romania and Trkiye serving as departure points. The DMW is working with licensed manning agencies, shipowners, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Romanian and Turkish authorities to facilitate their return. Cacdac mentioned that there will come a time when all affected seafarers will be able to return home. In the meantime, the DMW has directed manning agencies and principals not to send Filipino seafarers to the Northern Black Sea amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukra ine. This directive was issued based on security assessments by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the DFA, alongside concerns from the international community. The directive applies to ships carrying Filipino seafarers, allowing them to proceed if no Filipino seafarers are on board, but not if there are, subject to a 15-day review period. While in Romania and Saudi Arabia, Cacdac and his team also conducted visits to prisons and hospitals involving Filipino workers and their families, assuring them of government assistance. They met with spouses of Filipino patients in intensive care units, some of whom had traveled to care for their loved ones. The government will continue coordinating with foreign authorities and other agencies to assist Filipinos affected by the incidents and facilitate their return home.