OFWs Killed in Saudi Road Crash Identified
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that only 13 Filipino workers were killed in the road crash on Tuesday afternoon in Saudi Arabia.
“Ang unang report ko ay 14, pero later on nabago naging 13 yung casualties,” said DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose.
Of the fatalities, 11 died on the spot. The remaining two died in the hospital.
“Ang Philippine embassy in Riyadh ay nakikipag-ugnayan sa employer para talagang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga nasa ICU, kailangan po talagang mabigyan ng medical attention at asikasuhin yung madaliang repatriation ng mga labi dito sa Pilipinas,” Jose said.
Thirteen other Filipino workers were injured in the accident that happened around 5:30 p.m. in Hofuf, Al-Hassa in the Eastern Region.
“Kailangang matapos ang investigation bago maiuwi yung mga labi,” said Jose.
Reports said 26 Filipino workers, mostly electricians, were onboard a coaster driven by a Pakistani national when they were hit by a truck.
The OFWs worked for Saudi Arabia Kentz, a contracting and engineering company.
A Filipino who has been working for the same company for 12 years told DZMM that four out of the 13 injured Pinoys have been discharged from the hospital.
“As of now, stable na po lahat ang kundisyon ng natitira sa ospital,” he said.
He added that the remains of the 11 OFWs brought to a morgue and have been identified.
“Lahat po ng nararapat ibibigay po sigurado ng kumpanya at aayusin lahat para mapauwi agad-agad ang mga biktima,” he said.