Remains of 13 Filipinos killed in Iraq fire arrive home

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of 13 Filipinos who died in a hotel fire in Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq arrived home on Saturday, February 13.

The flight carrying their remains landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila at around 6 pm, reported radio dzBB.

The overseas Filipino workers were employees of the 4-star Capitol Hotel, which caught fire on February 5 due to an electrical problem, based on an initial investigation.

The victims, all females, suffocated as they were trying to escape from the blaze.

All remains will be received by their next of kin, said Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“In a sense, habang lahat tayo nagluluksa dahil sa kaganapan na ito (while we are all grieving because of what happened), at least there is some closure happening to the families at they will be reunited with their loved ones,” Quezon said in an interview on radio dzRB.

The remains of 6 of the victims will be brought to their respective provinces, Quezon added.

He also said the DFA is committed to facilitate the release of benefits and extend assistance to the bereaved families. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com