Greek authorities said on Monday they repatriated a seaman stranded in Djibouti after a debt dispute broke out between his ship's owner and its suppliers.

Chief mate Argyrios Tsagris, who landed in Athens airport on 30 December, is the first of five crew members whom Greek authorities are hoping to repatriate as well.

“We are continuing efforts, in cooperation with the foreign ministry and other authorities, to end the travails of our remaining seamen in Djibouti,” shipping minister Yiannis Plakiotakis said in an entry on his Facebook page.