Injured Filipino seafarer in Red Sea attack to return home

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the Filipino seafarer injured in the recent attack in the Red Sea has fully recovered and will return to the Philippines on Friday, 10 October.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, who went to Djibouti, reported the development on Thursday evening, adding that all arrangements for the seafarer’s return have been completed.

There are no details yet on the arrival of the injured seafarer as of press time.

Cacdac also visited the morgue in Djibouti to oversee arrangements for the repatriation of another Filipino crew member who died in the same incident involving the MV Minervagracht.

The Philippine Embassy in Cairo, through Chargé d’Affaires Crystal Dunuan, is also coordinating with local authorities to expedite the repatriation of the deceased seafarer, who is expected to arrive in the Philippines within two weeks.

According to the DMW, the deceased seafarer’s wife will remain in Djibouti until she can accompany the remains home.

The MV Minervagracht was struck by an explosive device on 29 September. It had a total of 19 crew members, including Russians, Ukrainians, Sri Lankans, and Filipinos. Ten of the Filipino crew members were repatriated last 4 October aboard Air France Flight No. 224.

Following his visit to Djibouti, Cacdac has since arrived in London together with DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan for the OFW Caravan and meetings with the Filipino community.