Metro Manila, Philippines – The Filipino seafarer who was critically injured after the Houthi rebels attacked their Dutch-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden has died, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
“Our deepest sympathies to his family. Per the President’s directive, we are providing them with full support and assistance,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
The Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the Sept. 29 cruise missile attack on the MV Minervagracht, which had no cargo when it passed the Gulf of Aden, a strategic and critical waterway in the Middle East.
The vessel suffered substantial damage and a fire.
Spliethoff, the Amsterdam-based operator of the ship, said another Filipino sailor remains under medical care in Djibouti.
“His condition is stable, and we expect he will be able to return home later this week,” Spliethoff said.
The Minervagracht had a crew of 19 seafarers, mostly consisting of Filipinos, as well as Russian, Ukrainian, and Sri Lankan nationals.
Ten Filipinos have already been repatriated to the country.
