12 Filipino passengers in Air Niugini plane crash now back in PH

Local fishing boats move in to recover the passengers and crew of Air Niugini flight following the plane crashing into the sea on its approach to Chuuk International Airport in the Federated States of Micronesia., Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. All 47 passengers and crew survived a plane’s crash landing in a Pacific lagoon Friday morning, wading through waist-deep water to the emergency exits and escaping on local boats that came to the rescue in the Micronesia archipelago. (James Yaingeluo via AP)

The Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam has reported that the 12 Filipino passengers onboard the Air Niugini flight that crash-landed in a lagoon in Micronesia on Friday are now back in the Philippines after taking an onward flight.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the number of Filipinos onboard the flight was brought to 12 after it was found that three more Filipinos — two men and a woman, were also onboard the flight.

Earlier, Consul General Marciano de Borja reported that there were nine Filipinos seafarers onboard the Air Nuigini flight on their way to the Philippines for a vacation.

READ: DFA provides assistance to Filipinos in Air Niugini flight 

De Borja said the Consulate General is also coordinating with the airline to recover the luggage of the 12 Filipino passengers.

Air Niugini has also informed the Consulate General that they will be in touch with the Filipinos regarding their claims, De Borja added. /muf