3 OFWs among 50 killed in Kuwait fire

Three overseas Filipino workers have died in a fire that gutted a housing building for foreign workers in Kuwait, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) confirmed yesterday.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN, Pia Lee-Brago

OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio identified the Filipino fatalities as Jesus Lopez, Edwin Petilla and Jeffrey Catubay.

Meanwhile, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the three OFWs worked in a construction company and died from smoke inhalation.

Cacdac also reported that two other OFWs remain in hospital and are in critical condition, while the remaining six are all safe and unharmed.

He directed the Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait and the OWWA Welfare Office to coordinate with the Philippine embassy in Kuwait for the repatriation of the three workers' remains.

Cacdac has personally reached out to the families and relatives of the 11 OFWs.

"We are in touch with the families of all the affected OFWs, including the families of those two in critical condition and the families of the three fatalities. Six of them are now safe and provided with their immediate needs," Cacdac said.