Five Filipino crew members of a bulk carrier, where 21 are Filipinos, attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, have been rescued, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a hastily callled online media briefing on Wednesday evening, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said: "The 17 others are right now being searched. And among the 17 would be the reported fatalities,"

"The search and rescue would be (undertaken by) the maritime security firms," he added.

Asked if they are confirming that there are fatalities among the 22 crew members, of which 21 are Filipinos, Cacdac said officials will try to talk to the five survivors first to get information.

This was the second ship attack in the Red Sea. The first was last Sunday and involved the bulk carrier, MV Magic Seas. DMW reported the 17 Filipino crew of MV Magic Seas were rescued and sent to Djibouti. DMS