Eight crew members from the Greek-operated container ship MV Epaminondas have been released and returned home after months of detention following the vessel’s seizure by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that four Filipino crew members arrived back in the Philippines on June 23. They received financial support from the DMW and OWWA, along with temporary hotel accommodations, and will reunite with two colleagues currently undergoing medical assessments.
With this latest development, six Filipino crew members have now returned to their families after the incident in the Persian Gulf. The DMW indicated that another Filipino seafarer is expected to come home soon, while three others await clearance from Iranian military authorities for their repatriation. Additionally, Ukraine confirmed that four of its nationals, also detained on the vessel, have safely returned home following extensive diplomatic negotiations.
The MV Epaminondas, a Liberian-flagged ship, was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 22, 2026, while en route to India. The vessel was attacked approximately 20 nautical miles off Oman’s coast, resulting in significant damage before Iranian forces boarded and escorted it to Iran. Despite the assault, all 21 crew members, including Filipinos and Ukrainians, were reported unharmed. Iran later accused the ship of operating without necessary permits, claims that the operators have disputed.
