Nine Filipino seafarers of MV Eternity C ‘in the hands’ of Houthi - DMW

Metro Manila, Philippines - Nine of the 21 Filipino crew members of the sunken MV Eternity C “are in the hands of Houthi forces,” while three others were reportedly dead, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said on Tuesday, July 29.

“We’re in close coordination with DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and the families with reference to safety, well being, as well as the release and safe return of the 9 (seafarers),” said Cacdac in a press briefing.

The rebels earlier said they had rescued 10 seafarers from the Greek-operated cargo ship which they attacked and sank in the Red Sea earlier this month.

Cacdac said the Filipino crew members are in “good physical condition” according to their loved ones who were able to talk to the victims by phone.

On Tuesday, July 29, the Houthi dropped a six-minute video featuring images of 10 seafarers showing crew members communicating with their families. It also included statements from the crew, who claimed they were unaware of the Houthis’ maritime ban on ships bound for Israeli ports. They said the vessel was heading to Israel's Eilat Port to load fertilizers.

Cacdac said there are also three reported fatalities, based on the accounts of the seafarers who returned home. One Filipino member is missing.

He said these details are subject for confirmation.

“We are still not in a position to confirm the remains that the Houthis say they had picked up out of the water. But with respect to the three, we have accounts of the seafarers who were rescued and have returned. But the difficulty…is the ship has sunk and so we don’t have the bodies of the fatalities,” he said.