6 Magic Seas crew members back in PH

Six of the 17 Filipino crew members of the ill-fated MV Magic Seas returned to the Philippines on Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

The ship's chief officer, 2nd officer, and 3rd officer arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, while the rest landed at Clark International Airport.

The seafarers received financial assistance worth P75,000 each from DMW's AKSYON Fund and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Emergency Repatriation Fund and P10,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

They were also given hotel accommodation and transportation assistance to ensure their safe return to their families and communities.

DMW earlier reported that the Filipino seafarers, along with two other crew members, escaped the Liberian-flagged vessel they were boarding, which was under attack by alleged Houthi rebels last Saturday.

Magic Seas was about 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, when it was attacked by men carrying rocket-propelled grenades and automatic firearms. —VBL, GMA Integrated News