DFA says there may be Filipino workers in area of explosion in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said there may be Filipinos working near the explosion site at a restaurant in Abu Dhabi where at least two people where killed.

A report from its embassy said the blast happened at a building near Airport Road at around 10 in the morning Monday.

"Initial information reaching the Embassy is that there may be Filipinos working at the affected establishments but company management is not able to confirm as of this time," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Embassy joins the Filipino community in UAE in hoping that there would be no further fatalities and that others involved in the incident would have no serious injuries."

Philippine officials in United Arab Emirates, the DFA said, are monitoring developments and will extend every possible assistance.

Embassy personnel are already on site checking the area and are coordinating with the police, it added.

Authorities reported two fatalities: one was near the site of the incident, while the second was a passer-by who was hit by debris.

"No details yet were given as to their nationalities or identities," the DFA said.

The Abu Dhabi explosion is the second of two blasts that occurred in the emirates on Monday, with the first happening in Dubai, also at a restaurant. According to a Reuters report, a gas cylinder exploded in the Dubai restaurant and killed one person. — BM, GMA News