13 seafarers reported missing after Beirut blast safe - DFA
By Roy Mabasa
All 13 Filipino seafarers earlier reported missing following the powerful explosions in Beirut are now safe and accounted for, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.
"Our Embassy in Beirut has ascertained the conditions of all the 13 Filipino seafarers who were injured in the blasts that rocked the city recently," the office of the DFA’s Migrant Workers Affairs said.
Eleven of the 13 seafarers were earlier reported missing following the blasts.
Philippine Embassy officials in Beirut led by Charge d'affaires Ajeet Panemanglor earlier visited eight of the seafarers staying at a place provided by their employer.
Five of the seafarers were said to be at the hospital for medical checkup when embassy officials arrived on Wednesday.
Another visit is scheduled today.
The Filipino seafarers are all working for the significantly damaged cruise ship Orient Queen, which was docked in the port of Beirut, some 400 meters away from where the epicenter of the explosion occurred.
Panemanglor earlier announced the number of Filipinos injured in the twin blasts number at 24 with two casualties and one missing.