Filipinos seafarers who were earlier reported missing, whose ship was docked some 400 meters from the blast zone at the Beirut port this morning, were found and accounted for.
Reports reaching the Philippine Embassy in Beirut said 10 Filipino seafarers suffered minor injuries and are now with the management of the shipping company Abu Merhi Cruises at Ain el Mraiseh, Beirut. The company operates the Orient Queen Cruises.
Meantime, two seafarers are currently recuperating at the Embassy Chancery after receiving treatment from a hospital.
This recent development leaves one seafarer still missing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has started to reach out to the next of kin of the two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died from the explosion.
In a statement, the department reported that since December 2019, the agency had already repatriated 1,508 Filipinos from Lebanon. There are still currently around 31,916 Filipinos in Lebanon.
The Department assures the public as well as all the other Filipinos in Beirut that it shall provide all the necessary assistance to the Filipino victims of this terrible tragedy.
Likewise, the Department continues to coordinate with the Lebanese authorities in locating reported missing Filipinos.
Expecting more Filipino victims would be found as search and rescue operations continue to scour the huge area devastated by the explosion, DFA posted a hotline on its official website.
The Philippine Embassy may be reached through the following telephones: +961 3859430, +961 81334836, +961 71474416, +961 70681060 and +961 70858086
