3 Filipinos hurt in Kuwait building fire —DMW

Three Filipinos were reported hurt in the fire that broke out in a residential building in Kuwait, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). 

DMW Sec. Hans Cacdac said that two of the three Filipinos are currently in critical condition. 

"Merong tatlong na-ospital at dalawa ngayon ay in critical condition. So, ipagdasal natin ang kanilang kaligtasan," Cacdac said.

(Three have been hospitalized and two are now in critical condition. So, let's pray for their safety.)

"'Yug isa is in a less serious situation, pero pagdasal pa din natin ang kanilang kaligtasan," he added.

(The other one is in a less serious situation, but let's still pray for their safety.)

Cacdac said that a total of 11 Filipinos were affected by the fire which was first reported at around 4:30 a.m. in Mangaf, a coastal city south of Kuwait City. 

"Meron tayong 11 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) na apektado dun sa building na yun... Fire broke out nung madaling araw, so tulog ang karamihan dun sa building na yun," Cacdac said.

(We have 11 OFWs who are affected in that building... Fire broke out early in the morning, so most of them were asleep when the fire broke out.)

"Tatlo have been marked safe, lima ang ayon sa report, ang status nila ay missing, subject to hospital confirmation. We all have their names and their families have been contacted, we are about to contact a few more," added Cacdac.

(Three have been marked safe, five have a status of missing, subject to hospital confirmation. We all have their names and their families have been contacted.)

According to the DMW, the building houses workers from a construction firm.

"We are coordinaing with the company involved and they've been very cooperative. The Kuwaiti government is also cooperative and coordinating with us," said the DMW chief.

The death toll from the fire currently stands at 49, with Kuwait's deputy prime minister accusing property owners of committing violations that contribute towards such incidents.

The nationalities of those who died were not immediately disclosed by local authorities. India's ambassador visited hospitals where workers were being treated for injuries sustained in the fire.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News