Six Filipino seafarers have been safely embarked from MT Blue, which was severely damaged in a drone attack while transiting the northern Black Sea on 8 July, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Saturday.

The DMW said the vessel was later towed to Yalova, Türkiye, and, following a technical assessment, was declared beyond repair.

The six Filipinos remained on board to help man the vessel until a replacement crew could take over while the other crew members had already disembarked.

The seafarers were allowed to leave the vessel on 6 August after a Russian replacement crew formally assumed responsibility for MT Blue.

Upon arriving in Istanbul around 3 a.m., they were received and assisted by Labor Attaché Adam Musa, who helped facilitate their welfare and airport arrangements.

The DMW, through the Migrant Workers Office in Lebanon, coordinated closely with the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul and other relevant parties to monitor the Filipino crew's condition and arrange their safe return home.

The six seafarers arrived in the Philippines on Friday, 7 August, and received airport assistance and appropriate post-arrival support from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). They received a medical checkup and financial assistance.