PH Embassy in Paris Shepherds Repatriation of 348 Filipino Seafarers

(Photo by DFA-OUMWA)

PASAY CITY 28 April 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Paris, facilitated the repatriation of a total of 348 seafarers of Cruise ships MSC Magnifica and Costa Smeralda on 25 April 2020.

The said repatriates, composed of 335 seafarers of Costa Smeralda and 13 of MSC Magnifica from Marseille, France, were ferried back to Manila on separate flights. Their return were made possible through the Embassy’s coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Madrid, the managements of MSC Magnifica and Costa Cruises, partner agencies in the Philippines, as well as the French Government.

Upon their arrival in the Philippines, the seafarers were welcomed by representatives of the DFA, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Philippine Coast Guard, and Manila International Airport Authority.

All the 348 Filipinos underwent the appropriate medical protocols and are currently undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine as request by DOH-BOQ. END

(Photo by DFA-OUMWA)