Honorary Vice Consul Elizabeth Eustaquio-Domondon (3L) and members of the Filipino community welcome Filipino seafarers in Halifax shortly after they were evacuated from the Yantian Express.

 15 January 2019 – All 17 Filipino seafarers on board the Yantian Express have arrived safely in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 14 January 2019, after they were evacuated from the burning container ship.

Philippine Honorary Vice Consul in Halifax Ms. Elizabeth Eustaquio-Domondon reported that the seafarers were in high spirits and were being assisted by their fleet manager to arrange their return to the Philippines. The Filipino community in Halifax also met the seafarers and provided them with food and other necessities.

The 22-member crew of the Yantian Express were evacuated by rescue tugboats after the container ship caught fire about 1,900 km southwest of Halifax on 3 January 2019. Responding ships in the area have now brought the fire under control but the Yantian Express remains 1,300 km off Halifax. END