No Pinoys hurt in New Orleans ship collision — DMW

No Filipinos were injured in the collision of a tanker ship and a luxury paddle-wheeler docked in New Orleans in the United States, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Sunday.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said there were 17 Filipino seafarers onboard the tanker during the November 13 incident (Nov.14 in the Philippines) and that all were safe.

"So all 17 Filipino seafarers on board the Marshall Islands flag tanker Atlantic Asphalt are safe and we're working closely for their safe repatriation and rest assured we will provide the necessary assistance," Cacdac said during a press briefing.

Meanwhile, there were no Filipnos onboard the luxury paddle-wheeler.

"As far as we know, walang Pinoy na worker sa (there were no Filipino workers in the) riverboat," Cacdac said.

The collision caused the cruise vessel to roll over and sink as passengers scurried to disembark and dozens were flung into the water.

At least 32 passenger from the paddle-wheeler were hospitalized, but "none with any type of critical injuries," New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News