Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) suffered minor injuries after a seven-storey apartment building collapsed Wednesday in Doha, Qatar.
Ople said the two OFWs, whose names are being withheld, suffered bruises and have been discharged from the Hamad General Hospital. Three other OFWs residing in the same apartment building were at work when the incident happened.
The DMW also extended immediate assistance in the form of food and basic necessities to 30 Filipino nationals, including two minors and a senior, who were residents of an adjoining three-storey building, Ople said.
They have been provided temporary shelter at the Qatar Youth Hostel.
In a report to the Secretary, Atty. Don Albert Pangcog, Officer in Charge of the Doha Migrant Workers Office (MWO-Doha) said the MWO is working closely with Philippine Embassy officials, the Doha Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (DMW-OWWA) and local authorities.
Local authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident which occurred at 8:18 am Wednesday (1:18pm, Wednesday in Manila) in Doha’s Bin Durham neighborhood.
According to Qatar news agencies, at least one person has been reported dead. Emergency rescue crews continue to search for survivors.
Catherine R. Cueto
