The evacuation of up to1,000 Filipinos to Malta has been delayed because Benghazi harbour has been closed.

The workers are to brought to Malta on a ship which set off from Malta and is now off the East Libya port.

 

The ship was initially scheduled to return to Malta tomorrow. But ABS-CBN Europe News quoted the Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs, Jesus Yabes, as saying that the arrival of the chartered Maltese vessel would be delayed for two to three days due to the unexpected closure of the port in Benghazi.

‘We have tentative dates but I can not divulge. One thing I can say is that the ship is already on its way to that area and hopefully, we will be able to board our people there safely, without any hitches,’ said Yabes. 

The ship will also be sailing to Misrata before proceeding to Malta.

Once they arrive here, the migrants will be immediately flown to Manila.

Yesterday, the Filipino community in Malta offered a Mass for the safe voyage of the chartered ship and successful repatriation of the workers.

Also yesterday, a Virtu Ferries catamaran arrived in Malta shortly after midnight after having successfully embarked 289 Indian workers from Benghazi.

 

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.