Filipino couple among 10 fatalities in Paris fire – DFA

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino couple was among those who were killed in the fire that engulfed an apartment building in Paris, France, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday.

The Philippine Embassy in Paris received reports from the Crisis Center of the Paris Prefecture that the couple was among the 10 fatalities in the apartment fire in the French capital last Tuesday.

“The Department conveyed its sympathies after the Philippine Embassy in Paris tonight received confirmation from the Crisis Center of the Paris Prefecture under the French Ministry of Interior that a couple of Philippine nationality was among the 10 people who were killed in the fire on Rue Erlanger at the 16th Arrondissement of Paris,” DFA said in a statement.

The embassy had been assisting the daughter of the victims after reporting that her parents were missing in the incident.

Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa Lazaro, however, declined to identify the names of the Filipino couple.

Meanwhile, Lazaro said four other Filipinos staying in the apartment survived the fire.

Lazaro said they would extend assistance to the families of the victims in the fire.