21 seafarers repatriated from Ukraine arrive in Manila
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday that Filipino seafarers who had been stranded on the M/V S-Breeze have arrived in Manila.
The M/V S-Breeze has been docked at the Ilyichevsk Ship Yard in the port of Odessa in Ukraine for repairs since late January.
In a Twitter post, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola said the 21 Filipino crew members of the bulk carrier have been repatriated.
"They crossed from Ukraine to Moldova through the assistance of Honorary Consul [Victor] Gaina," Arriola said.
The department previously said 13 other seafarers from the Star Helena crew crossed the Moldova border last week and are also waiting for repatriation.
On Monday, the DFA ordered the mandatory evacuation of all the Filipinos in Ukraine after it raised the crisis alert level to Alert Level 4 for all areas "due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation."
Travels will be at the expense of the Philippine government.
"Filipinos in Ukraine will be assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Poland and the Rapid Response Team, which are currently assisting Filipino nationals for repatriation and relocation," the department said in an advisory.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Monday said 1.7 million have already fled Ukraine.
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