Malacañang on Wednesday expressed support and solidarity with Lebanon after its capital city, Beirut, was rocked by massive explosions which killed at least 100 people.
“The Philippines is in solidarity with the people of Lebanon in this period of great grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lebanese people,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), two Filipinos died from the explosions while eight others suffered injuries, of which one was in “critical but stable” condition.
The blasts came from a warehouse that reportedly contained large amounts of explosive materials.
“We are one with the families and friends of Filipinos who passed or were injured during the event,” Roque added.
Malacañang said the DFA was instructed to assist affected Filipinos through the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
The DFA reported that two of the injured Filipinos were part of a group of 13 Filipino seafarers whose ship was docked some 400 meters away from the blast zone.
The other 11, as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, were still missing.
A Filipino household service worker was also reported missing, bringing the total of missing Filipinos to 12. John Ezekiel J. Hirro