Filipino death toll in Beirut blast now 4 —DFA

The number of Filipinos killed in the explosion in Beirut has increased to four while 31 have been reported injured, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. 

"We are saddened by the latest turn of developments. The higher figure comes as our embassy personnel work to ascertain the condition of the Filipinos in its jurisdiction,“ Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola said.

Philippine Embassy Charge d'affaires Ajeet Panemanglor said two other Filipinos remain in critical condition.

"They are confined and are being monitored at Rizk Hospital," he said.

The massive explosion in Beirut triggered by ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse for years, killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others.

Embassy officials said they are coordinating with members of the Filipino community in Beirut and assured them of assistance.

"The DFA reaffirms its commitment to bring the much needed support and assistance to our kababayans specially at this hour of need," Arriola said.

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

16 detained

Meanwhile, 16 staff members at Beirut's port have been detained over the deadly blast.

Lebanese authorities had announced an investigation into Tuesday's explosion, which they said was triggered by a fire igniting 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at Beirut's port.

Lebanon's foreign minister said on French radio Thursday that an investigating committee had been given four days to determine responsibility for the blast, which killed more than 130 people and wounded at least 5,000.

Military prosecutor Fadi Akiki said in a statement that 18 staffers at Beirut's port had been called in for questioning, 16 of whom remain in custody pending further investigations.

They include port and customs officials as well as maintenance workers and their managers, Akiki said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Lebanon on Thursday, called for an international enquiry, echoing demands widely supported in Lebanon and abroad for an independent probe. —with Agence France-Presse/KBK, GMA News