Eight out of the 21 Filipino crew members of a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier that was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea have safely arrived in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the DFA announced the rescue of the eight Filipino seafarers of the ill-fated M/V Eternity C.

It said the eight Filipinos "have safely disembarked at the port city of Jizan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and are now in the joint custody of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, the Migrant Workers’ Office-Jeddah, and their shipping agency."

"The rescued Filseafarers will undergo mandatory medical assessment before their scheduled repatriation in the coming days," the agency said.

"The DFA wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending visa considerations to the 8 Filseafarers on humanitarian grounds," it added.

The M/V Eternity C was attacked by the Houthi rebels while sailing in the Red Sea last week. Rbina Asido/DMS