Injured Pinoys in Beirut blast now at 24 — DFA

The number of Filipinos who were injured in the powerful explosion the struck Beirut, Lebanon last Tuesday has climbed to 24, a senior Foreign Affairs official said.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said most of the injured are household service workers.

At least two Filipino household workers died and one seafarer remains missing.

Ten of the 11 seafarers initially reported as missing have been found safe and accounted for, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut said.

The 10 crewmen of Orient Queen Cruises suffered minor injuries and are now with the management of the shipping company Abu Merhi Cruises at Ain el Mraiseh, Beirut.

For requests for assistance, the Philippine embassy may be reached through the following:

• Telephones - +961 3859430, +961 81334836, +961 71474416, +961 70681060 and +961 70858086
• E-mail - beirutpe@gmail.com
• Facebook - Philippine Embassy in Lebanon

Lebanon is home to around 33,000 Filipinos, 75% of whom are in the greater Beirut area.

The powerful blast resulted in at least 100 fatalities and injured thousands, as well as causing widespread fire and damage throughout the city.

Lebanese officials said highly explosive ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse for years at a port trggered the blast. — RSJ, GMA News