DFA confirms 2 Filipino killed, 6 others hurt in the Beirut explosion

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that two Filipinos were killed in powerful explosions that hit the Port of Beirut in Lebanon and six other Filipinos have been injured. The Filipino casualties were in their employer's homes during the explosion.

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The powerful blast resulted in several fatalities and injured thousands, as well as causing widespread fire and damage throughout the city.

The Philippine Embassy is in touch with the Filipino community in Lebanon to assess the situation and provide assistance to any affected Filipinos,

 the DFA said in a statement.

The embassy said there could still be other Filipinos injured in the massive blasts.

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Around 33,000 Filipinos are in Lebanon, 75% of whom are in the greater Beirut area, DFA spokesperson spokesman Ed Meñez said.

Lebanese authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion, but said it is likely that highly explosive ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at a port triggered it.

Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead.

Hospitals already struggling with the country's coronavirus outbreak were overwhelmed by the influx of wounded people and the country's Red Cross called for urgent blood donations.

The explosions came three days before a UN tribunal's verdict on the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri, who was killed in a huge 2005 truck bomb attack. 

Four alleged members of the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah are on trial in absentia at the court in the Netherlands over the huge Beirut bombing that killed Sunni billionaire Hariri and 21 other people. 

The DFA said for Filipinos in need of assistance, the Philippine Embassy can be reached through +961 3859430, +961 81334836, +961 71474416, +961 70681060 and +961 70858086 (telephone) or beirutpe@gmail.com (email), or on Facebook.