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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider KFC gas explosion in Abu Dhabi kills 2 Filipinos, hurts 8 other Pinoys

KFC gas explosion in Abu Dhabi kills 2 Filipinos, hurts 8 other Pinoys

Published Sep 1, 2020 10:45 pm

By Roy Mabasa and Leslie Ann Aquino

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday confirmed that two Filipinos were killed and eight others were injured in a gas explosion at a KFC restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The explosion instantly killed Clark Bacud Gasis, 39, an electrical draftsman from Surigao del Sur; and Merriner Goc-ong Bertoces, 26, a KFC-Abu Dhabi employee from Negros Oriental.

A report from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Abu Dhabi said a total of 10 Filipinos, including two children, figured in the deadly accident reportedly caused by a gas leak inside a KFC restaurant along Airport Road on August 31.

“It is with deep sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, shares the latest information that two Filipinos died from the unfortunate accident yesterday caused by a gas explosion at a restaurant at Sheikh Rashid Bin Seed Road (also known as Airport Road) in Abu Dhabi, as reported by UAE authorities,” the DFA said in a confirmation report released more than 36 hours after the incident happened.

DOLE said the blast also caused injuries to eight other Filipinos. Six of them were immediately taken to the Sheik Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC) for treatment. Five of the injured have already been discharged while Rodel Paclibar remains at the hospital for further observation.

When visited and interviewed by POLO officials at SKMC, Paclibar, also a KFC-Abu Dhabi staff, said he was relaying to his supervisor the condition of the gas tank when the blast happened.

POLO officers also gathered that two Filipino children – a two-month old and three-month-old – were also hurt in the incident but are now out of danger.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said the families of the Gasis and Bertoces will each receive P120,000 bereavement assistance from the government.

“They will also get insurance benefits if they are qualified members of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration,” he said.

“We will extend to them all the support the government can provide,” Bello added.

In a tweet, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said the blast was caused by a “misalignment in the gas container fittings following refueling.”

The department said Ambassador to UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana has reached out to the families of the deceased to express condolences and to give assurance that they will be provided all necessary assistance.

In her report to the DFA, Quintana said the Embassy continues to work with UAE authorities to also obtain details regarding some injured Filipinos who were brought to the hospital for treatment of “minor and moderate” injuries.

Quintana advised the Filipino community to remain safe and to be mindful of security and safety protocols being implemented by the UAE government.

READ MORE: Embassy checking if any Filipino was injured in Abu Dhabi bomb blast

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