Repatriation of Ilonggo seafarer killed in Malaysia fire underway

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The repatriation of the remains of an Ilonggo seafarer who died in a container ship fire in Malaysia is now being arranged through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The victim, a 38-year-old resident of Barangay Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City, was one of three crew members who perished after a blaze broke out aboard the MSC Kyparissia while it was docked at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor on November 7.

He reportedly worked as an IC motorman on the vessel.

The MSC Kyparissia caught fire while unloading operations were underway, with the blaze starting in the ship’s Block 5 under-hatch compartment below deck.

The incident killed three crewmen — one Malaysian aged 59, a British national in his 40s, and the Filipino seafarer from Iloilo.

Three others were injured — a Malaysian man in his 20s and two Filipino men in their 40s — and were rushed to Gleneagles Medini Hospital for treatment.

The Johor Fire and Rescue Department deployed nine firefighters, one Fire Rescue Tender truck, a multipurpose vehicle, and two tugboats to combat the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to have originated in the ship’s cargo hold.

Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda said her office has been coordinating with DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA to provide assistance after the victim’s family sought help.

Baronda said she formally requested both agencies on November 9 to expedite the repatriation process.

Cacdac has committed to ensuring the necessary assistance is extended to the bereaved family.

OWWA confirmed that the repatriation request was registered in its ECARES Support system on November 9 and is being processed in coordination with Malaysian authorities and FA Vinnen Philippines, Inc., the crewing and management company of the MSC Kyparissia.

The ship, operated by Costamare and under time charter to Maersk, plies the Far East–West Africa route for the Mediterranean Shipping Company.