Two hostaged Pinoy sailors die, 8 freed in Iran navy rescue

Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said eight other Filipino sailors were rescued during the operation on the high seas last April 2.

One Filipino sailor died of a gunshot wound in the head while another died of suffocation in the engine room, where he had sought refuge while the mission was underway, the DFA said.

According to the DFA, Chargé d’affaires Mariano Dumia said the eight crew members who were rescued will arrive in the Philippines on April 11 via Malaysian Airlines flight 804. 

Dumia said 12 Somali pirates were captured during the Iranian navy’s rescue operations.

MV Eglantine, a Cypriot-flagged and Iranian-owned bulk carrier, was hijacked on March 26 off the southwestern coast of India. The ship had 23 crew members of mixed nationalities, including 10 Filipinos. 
 

According to the rescued Filipinos, when the pirates became aware of the Iranian navy’s plan to stage the rescue mission, they tied the crewmen and used them as human shields in the ensuing firefight.

 

Meanwhile, the Kish Shipping Lines Managing Director in Bandar Abbas assured the Phililppine Embassy that his company will provide sufficient financial compensation to the families of the deceased and facilitate their immediate repatriation.

The families of the crewmen have been informed about the incident, the DFA said.

 

gmanetwork.com