At least 13 Filipino seafarers from the ill-fated MV Eternity C remained unaccounted for, the Department of Migrant Workers said on Saturday.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the 13 were among the 25 sailors – one Russian, 21 Filipinos, two Indians, and one Greek security personnel – on board the vessel when it was hit by a suspected Houthi drone attack off the coast of Yemen on July 7.
Three of the 25 sailors were confirmed dead, while six were reported abducted.
Olalia said the government has yet to verify the nationality of the fatalities and those held hostage.
To date, eight Filipino seafarers have been rescued from the vessel.
“As for the eight, we are still working on their repatriation because they need to be brought first to a safe port and fix their exit and visas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Filipino crew members of the MV Magic Seas – the second Filipino-carrying vessel attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea this month, were set to arrive at NAIA last night.
Olalia said the 11 seafarers will receive full government support, including a safety net in the form of financial assistance worth P75,000 from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Emergency Repatriation Fund.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also expected to provide an additional P10,000 in financial assistance.
The Magic Seas, carrying 17 Filipino nationals, was sailing through the Red Sea on July 6 when the Iran-backed Houthis mounted their attack, eventually sinking the ship.
The crew members were able to abandon the ship and were rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism.
