11 Pinoys onboard Front Altair unharmed after attack — shipping firm

OSLO, Norway - The crew of Frontline's Front Altair comprised of 11 Russians, one Georgian and 11 Philippine nationals were unharmed following an explosion, Frontline said on Thursday.

"They were transferred to an Iranian navy vessel and disembarked at a local Iranian port. It is understood they are now being transferred to Bandar Abbas," the company said in a statement to Reuters.

The crew of the Norwegian-owned Front Altair abandoned ship in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran after a blast that a source said might have been from a magnetic mine. The ship was ablaze, sending a huge plume of smoke into the air.

The crew were picked up by a passing ship and handed to an Iranian rescue boat.. — Reuters