Thirty-eight Filipino seafarers from the MV Hondius arrived home safely on the evening of June 19, 2026, after completing quarantine in the Netherlands, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced. The crew had been stranded in Russia for nine months due to a hantavirus outbreak aboard the vessel.
Homecoming After Quarantine
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed the seafarers' return in a social media post. "Our 38 MV Hondius Filipino seafarers arrived home safely last night from quarantine in the Netherlands," Cacdac stated. The crew was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and other officials upon their arrival in the Philippines on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Details of the Ordeal
The 38 Filipino crew members had been stranded in Russia for nine months after a hantavirus outbreak was declared on the MV Hondius. They were placed under quarantine in the Netherlands until June 18, 2026, before being allowed to return to the Philippines. Cacdac assured that the seafarers would continue to receive their salaries for the remaining months of their contracts and remain employed by the shipowner.
Support and Next Steps
The DMW coordinated with the shipowner and the Netherlands authorities to ensure the crew's safe repatriation. The seafarers underwent medical checks and will receive further assistance from the DMW to reintegrate into their normal lives. The incident highlights the challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers in the maritime sector.
