Manila, July 9 -- Five of the 21 Filipino seafarers manning the cargo vessel Eternity C, which sank in the Red Sea following a reported attack by Houthi rebels, have been rescued, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Wednesday night.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said the Liberia-flagged vessel has already sunk, and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining crew members.

The DFA, meanwhile, has received reports of at least two fatalities but de Vega did not confirm their nationality.

"We know of two casualties. We cannot confirm four. We assume they are Filipino," he said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency.

The vessel was carrying 22 crew members-21 Filipinos and one Russian-when it was allege...