Filipino sailors save 86 refugees drifting in Mediterranean Sea

An all-Filipino crew on Monday rescued 86 refugees from their stalled boat drifting for days in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to crew member Mykel Angelo Genilo, their container vessel MV Fleur N received information from the Augusta Italian Coastal Navy that they will pass by a boat that was in need of immediate rescue on their way to Livorno, Italy.

Genilo said most of the refugees were from Egypt and were headed to Italy in search of job opportunities.

However, the ship experienced engine failure, and the refugees got stuck in the vessel drifting in the Mediterranean sea for days.

Due to lack of food and water, the refugees were pale and weak during the rescue, Genilo said.

"Gusto lang namin i-share yung experience na 'to, give awareness para sa lahat, given any situation may chance na tumulong, go lang ng go, without any doubt, because helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person," he said.

(We want to share this experience to raise awareness that there’s a chance to help in any situation. Help without any doubt, because helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.)

The refugees were safely transported to the Augusta Port in Italy and were turned over to the Italian Coast Guard on Tuesday. —LBG, GMA News