2 bodies recovered from North Sea collision

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau Posted at 10/10/2013 12:05 PM | Updated as of 10/10/2013 12:05 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Two bodies have been recovered from the collision between a ship and a fishing trawler on the North Sea off the Dutch coast early Monday morning.

However, it was not yet determined if the bodies recovered were that of the missing 2 Filipinos. Three crew members, the Filipinos and an Indonesian, were unaccounted for after the sea mishap.

"Two bodies found in the wreck are in the process of getting identified," Foreign Affairs spokesman, Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a text message to ABSCBNnews.com.

Strong winds also forced the search operation to stop on Wednesday.

The vessel Maria had five crewmembers onboard. Two were immediately rescued after the accident.

Filipina Lenie Lobaton told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that she has been contacted by the family of her friend whom she said was one of the two missing Filipino crewmembers.

The hotel supervisor said that Pinoy seaman last visited their home three weeks ago before he sailed for Den Helder.

Lobaton said that the seaman's family was already notified about the accident on Monday afternoon.

She added that the family is anxious to get further updates that they requested for her assistance in contacting the Pinoy seafarers' company in The Hague, and the Philippine Embassy.

Consul Marie Charlotte Tang on Tuesday said that any report received from the company or the Dutch authorities will be relayed immediately to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.