12 Filipinos, mostly seafarers, missing in Beirut blast; death toll at 2, injuries at 8

Twelve Filipinos, mostly seafarers, were reported missing while the death toll remained at two and the number of injuries rose to eight after a massive explosion hit the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

Two of those injured are currently recuperating at the Philippine Embassy after receiving treatment from a hospital, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

They are part of a group of 13 Filipino seafarers whose ship, the cruise liner MV Orient Queen, was docked some 400 meters away from the blast zone.

As search is ongoing for the 11 sailors, the DFA said another Filipino household worker was also missing, bringing the total number of missing Filipinos to 12.

Citing the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, DFA spokesperson Ed Meñez said the Filipino casualties were in their employers' homes during the explosion.

Foreign Undersecretary Sarah Arriola at a press briefing said those who died and were wounded were household service workers.

“Everything is very fluid. We are looking at all hospitals,” she said, adding that financial assistance will be provided to all the victims.

The Philippine Embassy, Arriola added, will be open to assist affected Filipinos and that those who wish to return home will be provided assistance.

Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Administration Administrator Hans Leo Cadac told the relatives of the two Filipinos who were killed that the government will repatriate their loved ones’ remains

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Cacdac said OWWA has already been in contact with the family of one of the victims. However, they are still verifying the identity of the other casualty.

Earlier, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said they have yet to identify the other victim due to loss of passport.

“Apelyido lang ang alam namin kasi nawawala ang passport niya. Nasama yata sa sunog ng pagsabog,” Bello said.

At least 100 people died in the explosion, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.

Nearly 4,000 were injured when an explosion in Beirut's port area sent shockwaves in the city.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hasan Diab has declared Wednesday a day of mourning, and President Michel Aoun called for "urgent" defense council talks.

The explosions also come as Lebanon awaits the verdict on Friday on the 2005 murder of former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri, killed in a huge truck bomb attack.

Four alleged members of the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah are on trial in absentia at a court in the Netherlands over the huge Beirut bombing that killed Sunni billionaire Hariri and 21 other people.

Meanwhile, the DFA said for Filipinos in need of assistance, the Philippine Embassy can be reached through +961 3859430, +961 81334836, +961 71474416, +961 70681060 and +961 70858086 (telephone) or beirutpe@gmail.com (email), or on Facebook. —with Ma. Angelica Garcia/KG/RSJ, GMA News