Repatriation of 3 OFWs killed in Kuwait residential fire set next week

DMW building. File photo / ABC

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who perished in a fire that broke out in a heavily populated residential building south of Kuwait City, may be repatriated within next week, said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Speaking to reporters at a virtual press conference on Friday, Migrant Workers chief Hans Cacdac said the Philippine government has always partnered well with the Kuwaiti side when it comes to repatriations.

“[M]ay kumpiyansa ako na sa lalong madaling panahon – maybe as early as this coming week – ay makakauwi ang labi ng tatlo,” said Cacdac.

(I am confident that their remains will be back home soon enough—maybe as early as this coming week.)

Without identifying the fatalities, Cacdac earlier disclosed that the three died from smoke inhalation.

They were a part of a group of 11 Filipinos in Kuwait and were all working for a construction company.

According to Cacdac, two other OFWs remain in the hospital and are in critical condition. Of the 11, six are safe and unharmed.

READ: 3 OFWs confirmed dead in Kuwait building fire

DMW said the fire broke out at around 4:30 a.m. on June 12. The building that caught fire is in al-Mangaf, a coastal city south of Kuwait City.

There were 49 people who died due to the incident.