2 more Filipinos killed in Beirut blast

TWO more Filipinos died in the powerful explosion that rocked Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Friday that four Filipinos were killed in the blast and 31 were injured.

“We are saddened by the latest turn of developments. The higher figure comes as our embassy personnel work to ascertain the condition of the Filipinos in its jurisdiction,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola.

Ajeet Panemanglor, the Charge d’affaires of the Philippine embassy in Beirut, said two Filipinos being treated at the Rizk Hospital remain in critical condition and a household service worker is still missing.

“Our Embassy officials shall continue

to ascertain the condition of our community in Beirut. The DFA reaffirms its commitment to bring the much-needed support and assistance to our kababayans especially in this hour of need,” Arriola said.

The first two Filipino fatalities were identified as domestic workers who were at their employers’ home when the explosion devastated a huge section of downtown Beirut. The DFA did not disclose their names.

According to DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez, there were about 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of them in the greater Beirut area.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the department “will try as much help as it can out of its own resources, not just to OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) but

Lebanese communities [as well]. [It] would be nice to send a medical team when flights resume if still needed. It is what we are known for.”

Locsin tweeted that the “humongous explosives stockpile must come from the endless conflicts into which the Lebanese are dragged or drawn by many contending military forces in the area. It was once the jewel of tolerance, sophistication and freedom in the Middle East crown.”

The explosion killed at least 130 people and injured thousands.

Lebanese authorities said the giant blast emanated from a warehouse that was packed with almost 3,000 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical mainly used in fertilizers but could also be an ingredient in making bombs.