The accident which happened 30 miles south of Lisbon as the ship was sailing from Port de Bouc in France to Amsterdam left one Filipino seafarer missing after the blast. Despite extensive search operations conducted by Portuguese maritime and air units, the Filipino seaman remains missing.

Spearheaded by Ambassador Lhuillier, the Embassy team checked on the condition of the crew. Some of them exhibited signs of trauma and complained of not being able to sleep since the incident happened. With the help of Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rogelio Villanueva Jr., the team comforted and assured the survivors that their safety and well-being remains to be the priority of the Philippine Government.

The Embassy team returned to the ship the following day with a Lisbon-based Filipino priest, Rev. Fr. Jovito Osalvo who officiated a mass. Prayers were offered for the crew’s emotional and spiritual healing, especially for the missing Filipino seafarer.

Through the help of the embassy, the Filipino crew were granted shore leave and free transportation on March 10 to attend a mass with the Filipino Community at the Igreja do Corpo Santo in Lisbon. Ambassador Lhuillier assured the Filipino crew that the embassy will continue to look after their welfare in coordination with the ship owner and their manning agency.