Remains of 2 Filipinos killed in Abu Dhabi blast won’t be released yet pending probe — envoy

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the two Filipinos killed in a restaurant gas explosion in Abu Dhabi will not be released to their families until the investigation into the incident is completed, the Philippine Embassy in the UAE said Thursday.

Philippine Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana said she personally reached out to the families of the two Filipinos who died and explained to them that local authorities would need to finish their probe into the blast first before the cadavers of their loved ones can be released.

“Dahil po ito ay isang aksidente, kailangan po muna na matapos iyong imbestigasyon at iyan po ang aming nililinaw sa mga pamilya at humihingi po kami ng kaunting pang-unawa,” she said during the Laging Handa online briefing.

(Because this is an accident, authorities need to complete their investigation first and we made that clear with the families and we asked for their understanding.)

“Kailangan lang pong matapos iyong imbestigasyon ng otoridad,” she added.

(Authorities just need to finish their investigation.)

Nevertheless, local officials have assured the embassy that they will try to finish up the investigation as soon as possible, according to Quintana.

Aside from the two Filipino fatalities, the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that eight other Filipinos were wounded in the blast.

Of those injured, five have already been discharged from the hospital while the remaining three are still recovering.

JPV