11 OFWs affected by Kuwait building blaze – DMW

MANILA, Philippines — Eleven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were affected by fire that broke out in a heavily-populated residential building south of Kuwait City, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed on Thursday.

Citing a report from their office in Kuwait, Cacdac said three of the 11 Filipinos are safe and accounted for while another three are in hospital, including two who are under intensive care.

“In the meantime, [the remaining] five Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are reported missing pending confirmation from hospital authorities,” said Cacdac in a statement.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Cacdac instructed officers in Kuwait to “stay in touch with hospital authorities until they can fully ascertain the status of the five unaccounted OFWs.”

DMW said the fire was reported at around 4:30 a.m. on June 12 in Mangaf — a coastal city south of Kuwait City.

“As of late last night, Kuwait’s Interior Ministry reported at least 49 people were killed, with scores injured,” said DMW.