DFA checking if Pinoys among casualties in Utrecht shooting

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it is still waiting for report from the Philippine Embassy in The Hague regarding possible Filipino casualties in Monday's shooting incident in Utrecht.

Three people were killed while nine others were injured in the shooting incident in a tram believed to be perpetrated by a 37-year-old man of Turkish origin identified as Gokmen Tanis.

"The Embassy is still trying to ascertain if there are Filipinos among the dead and injured," the DFA said.

It said the Philippine Embassy is currently coordinating with Dutch police and the Dutch Foreign Ministry on developments regarding the incident, which prompted authorities to raise the terrorism threat to its highest level in Utrecht.

"Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda said efforts are bring undertaken to verify whether there are Filipinos who are among the injured," the DFA said.

"The Embassy is also contacting Filipino community members in Utrecht and is advising them to take necessary precautions."

The DFA also expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Netherlands following the Utrecht violence.

"The Philippines is greatly saddened that such an incident has occurred in a peaceful country such as the Netherlands," it said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dutch people and government during this difficult time."

Utrecht, the Netherlands' fourth largest city with a population of around 340,000, is known for its picturesque canals and large student population. Gun killings are rare in Utrecht, as elsewhere in the Netherlands. —with Reuters/KBK, GMA News