(Eagle News) — Thirteen more seafarers who were evacuated from Ukraine have arrived in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
According to the DFA, the seafarers who were part of the MV Ithaca Prospect crew arrived on March 26 at Clark International Airport.
“The evacuation of the seafarers was a big challenge because of the need for them to disembark the ship through small boats that would bring them safely to shore,” Philippine Ambassador to Budapest Frank R. Cimafranca said, as the DFA noted heavy fighting around Mykolaev.
Cimafranca said this was the same strategy they used to repatriate eight crew members of MV Filia Glory, who were repatriated on March 25.
The vessel was anchored in Olvia Port, south of Mykolaev.
With the recent repatriation, the department said 323 seafarers have so far been repatriated.
Another 30 have been evacuated and are awaiting repatriation, the department said.
“The ongoing evacuation efforts are made possible by the joint efforts of the Philippine Honorary Consul and the Philippine Embassy in Budapest,” the department added.