DFA says Filipino crewman safe after UK oil tanker seized in Iran

DFA building in Pasay City. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday assured that there were no reported injuries among the seafarers, including a Filipino, aboard the British oil tanker seized in Iran.

This development came after the DFA confirmed that a Filipino seafarer was among the 23-member crew of the British oil tanker MT Stena Impero.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Iran Fred Santos is reaching Iranian authorities to seek assurance that the Filipino seafarer involved will be heading home soon.

“The Philippine-based manning agency immediately informed the Filipino seafarer’s next of kin, and is providing the necessary assistance, while its foreign counterpart is in active coordination with UK authorities on the whereabouts of the ship and the condition of the seafarers on board,” the DFA’s statement read.

The DFA’s statement was issued after the oil tanker seen in the Strait of Hormuz was seized by Iran for allegedly violating international laws.

READ: Filipinos among 23 crew of oil tanker seized by Iran

Aside from the Filipino, other nationalities aboard MT Stena Impero were 18 Indians, three Russians and a Latvian. /jpv