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Philippines repatriates 46 overseas Filipino workers from Kuwait, 17 seafarers from Oman
Authorities said their return comes days after the M/V Minoan Dignity was hit by an unidentified projectile while sailing south of the Strait of Hormuz on August 18
- PUBLISHED: Sun 23 Aug 2026, 7:25 PM
Forty-six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait and 17 seafarers who survived an attack on the M/V Minoan Dignity have safely returned to the Philippines on separate flights, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Saturday, August 22.
The 46 OFWs from Kuwait arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 aboard Kuwait Airways Flight KU417, OWWA said in a statement. Meanwhile, the 17 seafarers landed at Terminal 3 on Emirates Flight EK334.
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Their return comes days after the M/V Minoan Dignity was hit by an unidentified projectile while sailing south of the Strait of Hormuz on August 18, according to a report cited by OWWA.
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There were 18 Filipino crew members aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. A Filipino chief engineer was killed, while the remaining 17 crew members survived and were rescued.
The seafarers were taken safely to Khasab, Oman, where the necessary procedures were completed before arrangements were made for their repatriation to the Philippines.
Upon arrival, the returning seafarers received assistance from OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in coordination with the Manila International Airport Authority medical team and their licensed manning agency, to help facilitate their processing and reunion with their families.
The OFWs returning from Kuwait were also provided support for their immediate needs, including financial assistance, food, temporary accommodation for those who required it and transportation assistance to their respective provinces.
OWWA said its Regional Welfare Offices will continue to assist the returning workers in their communities, including through welfare, financial, livelihood, employment, counselling and other reintegration programmes, depending on their needs and qualifications.
