8 sailors rescued from Houthi-hit ship returning home

MANILA, Philippines, July 16 ------ Eight Filipino crew of the Greek carrier Eternity C, which was attacked by Houthi rebels, are safe in Saudi Arabia and coming home soon, the Department of Migrant Workers announced.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the sailors are now under the care of the Migrant Workers Office. They were brought to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for medical protocols after they disembarked at the Port of Jizan. Cacdac said Philippine government agencies are working to ensure the immediate repatriation of the seafarers as well as their access to medical evaluations, psychosocial counseling and the reissuance of their travel documents. “These Filipino workers have suffered a traumatic ordeal at sea. We are working with their manning agency and the shipping company to ensure that they receive the support they need,” Cacdac said.

The DMW continues to monitor their condition and is in touch with their families. Cacdac said the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs are getting updates on the 13 other Filipino seafarers on board Eternity C. DMW officials visited the families of the seafarers and assured them of assistance, he said. Meanwhile, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre welcomed the repatriation of 17 Filipino crewmembers of Magic Seas who survived a missile attack while transiting the Red Sea.

Source: philstar.com