6 seafarers home from Hormuz incident

Six Filipino seafarers who were rescued following a maritime security incident in the Strait of Hormuz returned safely to the Philippines on Monday, officials said.

The crew members, who were aboard the Liberia-flagged oil tanker M/V Al Bahyah, arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR934, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Five of the returning crew members were uninjured, while one suffered a minor injury during the incident.

Upon arrival, officials from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provided immediate assistance and financial aid, while medical personnel from the Manila International Airport Authority conducted health assessments. Representatives from the crew’s licensed manning agency, BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines Inc., also met the returning sailors.

Following the incident, the DMW issued a reminder to manning agencies and foreign principals to adhere strictly to safety protocols and compliance directives when operating in high-risk maritime areas, including the Strait of Hormuz.