Marcos orders immediate repatriation of 3 OFWs who died in Kuwait fire

Kuwaiti security forces gather outside a building which was ingulfed by fire, in Kuwait City, on June 12, 2024. More than 35 people were killed and dozens injured in a building fire in an area heavily populated with foreign workers in Kuwait, the interior ministry said. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the repatriation of the remains of  three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in a fire in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac on Saturday, the department is working for the return of the three and is in contact with their families.

READ: 3 OFWs confirmed dead in Kuwait building fire

“We are working on the return of the three fatalities and we’re in touch – based on the Presidential directive – with all the families of the three fatalities,” Cacdac said in a news forum.

The three were part of 11 OFWs who were living in a building for workers, while two others OFWs were in a critical status.

“Hopefully, they will recover very soon,” Cacdac said.

The other six were safe, Cacdac added.

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

“As for the six na safe, we are working for their repatriation. But also, we are giving them the option whether or not they wish to continue work[ing] in Kuwait. Kasi karamihan no’ng safe ay on duty noong panahon na ‘yun,” he added.

(As for the six na safe, we are working for their repatriation. But also, we are giving them the option whether or not they wish to continue work[ing] in Kuwait. Because majority of those who were safe were on duty during that time.)