Pinoy seamen in South Korea accident to be repatriated

MANILA -- The Filipino seamen who died, including those who survived, in an accident off the coast of Jeju Island in South Korea will soon be repatriated to the Philippines, an embassy official said Friday.

The accident happened in the afternoon of Thursday, October 18, when a South Korean coast guard ship tipped over after rescuing 11 Chinese and Filipino sailors from Shinline, a Malaysian-registered cargo vessel that was damaged and sank off the southern island of Jeju.

Three Filipinos died in the accident, along with two Chinese sailors. Three other Filipino seamen survived.

"The three Filipino seafarers who survived the incident in the waters near Jeju island are now under the care of the Korean Coast Guard awaiting repatriation to the Philippines," said Raul Hernandez, Foreign Affairs spokesman.

He said the Philippine embassy in Seoul, South Korea is coordinating with the shipping agent's representative for the repatriation of the survivors, as well as the remains of the three who died.

SOUTH Korean coast guard officers prepare to transfer Chinese and Filipino sailors from a sinking Malaysian cargo ship to the coast guard ship, which eventually sank off the southern island of Jeju, South Korea, Thursday. (AP)

The three Filipino fatalities were identified as Henry Morada, Blert Hautea and Jayson Sazon.

Those who survived are Christopher Malpaya, Christopher Lapitan and Gerald Espina.

There are a total of six Filipinos onboard Shinline.

Hernandez said the rescue boat capsized because of the high waves in the area, adding that the Philippine labor attaché in South Korea already contacted the Jeju Coast Guard for details on the seafarers.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the rescued sailors and the South Korean boat's crew were transferring to a larger coast guard ship when the capsizing occurred.

Coast guard officers said all the Asian sailors were plucked from the water but three Filipinos and two Chinese were unconscious and later died in a hospital. One coast guard officer was injured.

The 11 sailors were among 13 Chinese and six Filipinos on the Malaysian cargo ship. Other coast guard vessels rescued eight of those sailors. (CVB/AP/Sunnex)