MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the 20 Filipino crew members aboard the sunken cargo ship M/V MSC Elsa 3 off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, India are safe and awaiting repatriation.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the seafarers are in good condition and are in regular communication with their families while temporarily housed at a hotel in Kochi.

“One of the directives of our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to always ensure the safety and well-being of our seafarers, much especially during unfortunate situations,” Cacdac said.

According to the DMW, the seafarers are receiving support from the ship’s principal based in India. They will remain in Kochi while local authorities investigate the May 24 incident.

The DMW directed the seafarers’ local manning agency (LMA) to ensure their basic needs are met, noting that the crew members were unable to retrieve their personal belongings from the vessel. Legal assistance and interpreters are also being provided to aid in the ongoing probe.

To fast-track the crew’s return to the Philippines, the principal has requested the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi to issue temporary travel documents, as the seafarers’ passports and Seafarer Registration Cards (SRCs) were left aboard the sunken Liberian-flagged vessel.

The DMW is closely coordinating with the Office of Migration Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the LMA, the principal, and the Philippine Embassy to facilitate the seafarers’ repatriation.

“The DMW will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates. We stand ready to extend any and all assistance required by the seafarers and their families,” Cacdac added.