By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed Thursday the death of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) after a fire engulfed a building in southern Kuwait’s Mangaf area early Wednesday.
The DMW said the three OFWs were among 11 OFWs earlier reported to have been affected by the fire in the building that houses workers for a Kuwaiti construction company.
Migrant Workers Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac said two other OFWs remain in the hospital and are in critical condition, while the remaining six are all safe and unharmed.
“We are in touch with the families of all the affected OFWs, including the families of those two in critical condition and the families of the three fatalities. Six of them are now safe and provided with their immediate needs,” Cacdac said.
“We will provide all the necessary assistance and support to the OFWs and their families in this difficult time as directed by the President,” he added.
He said that the DMW’s Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Welfare Office have been directed to coordinate their efforts with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait under Ambassador Jose Cabrera for the repatriation of the three workers’ remains.
Meanwhile, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, said that they have already reached out to the families and relatives of all 11 OFWs.
“Nakausap na namin ang mga pamilya ng mga naapektuhan ng sunog. Rest assured na hindi sila pababayaan at tutulungan sila ng OWWA sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he said.
Kuwait authorities reported that the fire broke out at about 4:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. PST) on Wednesday in the building that served as a housing and dormitory facility for foreign workers employed by a Kuwaiti construction company.
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said 49 people died in the fire, mostly Indians, while several others were injured.
