Two seafarers working aboard a Greek-owned handysize bulker have died off South Africa after contracting malaria.

The two sailors, a 53 year old Panamanian and a 53 year old Filipino were crew aboard the 33,261-dwt Agios Fanourios (built 2009).

South African authorities first received reports that two sailors requiring urgent patient evacuation off the bulker on Wednesday afternoon, according to South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).