3 Filipinos killed, 2 others hurt in Kuwaiti dorm fire

Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait were killed, along with 46 Indian nationals, in a building fire in Kuwait on Wednesday. More than 50 others, including two Filipinos, were injured.

The five Filipinos were among 11 OFWs who worked for the same Kuwaiti construction company. They were staying in a six-story building in Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, that housed the company’s foreign workers, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

READ: 3 OFWs confirmed dead in Kuwait building fire

The three Filipinos died of smoke inhalation, while the other two, who suffered serious injuries, were reported to be in the hospital in critical condition.

The remaining six other OFWs were safe and unharmed, according to the DMW.

It added that the immediate needs of the affected Filipinos would be seen to by the Migrant Workers Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s office in Kuwait.

The DMW also said that its officers would coordinate with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, led by Ambassador Jose Cabrera for the repatriation of the three OFWs’ remains.

“We will provide all the necessary assistance and support to the OFWs and their families in this difficult time as directed by the President,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.

Dawn blaze

The fire broke out around dawn on June 12 at the building in Mangaf that reportedly served as a dormitory for the 196 foreign workers employed by the Kuwaiti construction company.

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry reported that at least 49 people were killed, while hospitals had treated 56 people for injuries from the blaze.

INQToday: 3 OFWs confirmed dead in Kuwait building fire

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait conveyed its “deepest sympathies” to the state of Kuwait over the tragedy.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this devastating incident. We convey our sincere wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured,” it said in a statement.

At the same time, the Philippine Embassy commended the “swift response and efforts of the Kuwaiti authorities, firefighters, and medical teams in responding to the fire incident and providing assistance to the affected individuals.”