The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirms the deaths of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in a fire at their building early Wednesday morning, 12 June 2024.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the three, who died from smoke inhalation, were part of a group of 11 OFWs, all working for the same Kuwaiti construction company housed in the building that caught fire.
Two other OFWs remain in the hospital and are in critical condition, while the remaining six are all safe and unharmed.
Secretary Cacdac instructed the Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait (MWO-Kuwait) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Welfare Office to coordinate their efforts with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait (PE-Kuwait) under Ambassador Jose Cabrera for the repatriation of the three workers’ remains.
Cacdac reports he and OWWA Administrator Arnell A. Ignacio are personally reaching out to all 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. We will provide all the necessary assistance and support to the OFWs and their families in this difficult time as directed by the President,” said Secretary Cacdac.
Kuwait authorities reported that the fire started at about 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 (9:30 a.m., MNL) in the building that served as a housing and dormitory facility for foreign workers employed by the Kuwaiti construction company. The building is in al-Mangaf, a coastal city south of Kuwait City.
The Kuwait Interior Ministry reports that 49 people were killed in the fire, with scores injured.
-DMW
