A Filipino seafarer wounded during a recent Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden has fully recovered and is returning to the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed.

The injured crew member was aboard the Dutch-flagged cargo ship MV Minervagracht, which was attacked by Houthi rebels on 29 September, 2025.

The Minervagracht was struck by an explosive device while transiting through international waters about 128 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden. The impact caused a fire and severe structural damage to the ship’s accommodation block, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

The attack claimed the life of a Filipino seafarer, whose remains are now being prepared for repatriation to the Philippines within the next two weeks. European naval forces under Operation ASPIDES carried out the rescue, with support from the Greek frigate HS Spetsai and a French frigate.

A helicopter was deployed to airlift 19 crew members from the burning vessel. The rescued seafarers, comprising Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan nationals, were brought to Djibouti for medical care and repatriation arrangements.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac reported that arrangements for the safe return of the recovered seafarer had been completed. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing full support to affected Filipino maritime workers and their families.

Secretary Cacdac travelled to Djibouti on 8 October, where he was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar. During his visit, he thanked the Djiboutian government for quickly helping the Filipino seafarers who took refuge there after the attack.

Third Update on MV MINERVAGRACHT (September 30th, 2025)

Video documenting the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, which EUNAVFOR ASPIDES successfully concluded.@eu_eeas @ItalianNavy @MarineNationale @NavyGR pic.twitter.com/lxNMr9BHcA

— EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) September 30, 2025

Accompanying the Secretary were DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina, as well as the wife and sister of the deceased seafarer. The team has been working closely with the Philippine Embassy in Djibouti and the shipowner to ensure the dignified repatriation of the remains of the deceased crew member.

The DMW conveyed that the bereaved family had expressed their appreciation for the government’s assistance during this difficult time.

During his visit, Secretary Cacdac and the DMW team met about 20 members of the Filipino community in Djibouti to discuss jobs, welfare, and reintegration support for overseas Filipino workers.

The DMW said it continues to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and shipowners to help Filipino seafarers affected by maritime incidents and to assist their families promptly.

Reference: Department of Migrant Workers

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