69-year old Filipina killed in Florida apartment block collapse — DOLE

SURFSIDE, FLORIDA – JULY 04: Workers prepare the remaining part of the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building for a controlled demolition on July 4, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. The decision by officials to bring the rest of the building down was brought on by the approach of Tropical Storm Elsa and fears that the structure might come down in an uncontrolled fashion. Over one hundred people are missing as the search-and-rescue effort continues. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A 69 year old Filipina was included among the 24 confirmed fatalities in the Florida apartment block collapse, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirmed on Monday.

READ: Florida collapse death toll now 24, rest of building to be razed soon

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the woman is not an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and has no record in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

“Natagpuan na yung bangkay niya, at kasalukuyan hinahanap pa yung bangkay ng asawa, kasi mukhang foreigner ang asawa, hindi ito naka-register as an Overseas Filipino Worker, baka migrant ito,” Bello said over Teleradyo.

(Her body was found, but they are still looking for the body of her foreign husband. She was not registered as an Overseas Filipino Worker, she might be a migrant.)

Bello said the labor attaché is now contacting the relatives of the 69-year old Filipina, and DOLE is willing to extend any assistance they could provide.

The 12-story residential building partially collapsed in South Florida on June 24, according to authorities.

READ: Nearly 100 unaccounted for in Florida beachfront building collapse

JE