3 UAE-based Filipino expats die in Philippines ferry tragedies

Dubai - Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi is coordinating with authorities to confirm the identities of the victims.

At least three Al Ain-based Filipino expats were among those who died when three ferries capsized in rough seas off central Philippines on Saturday, a colleague of the victims said.
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, is coordinating with authorities to confirm the identities of the victims.
Al Ain-based Filipino expat Voltaire Vizconde told Khaleej Times that he and his colleagues went home for the summer holidays. They joined a group tour to the world-famous Boracay.
All three ferries plied the short 20-minute hop between the port city of Iloilo and the island of Guimaras, with two of the accidents happening 
almost the same time around noon, while the third boat accident happened after authorities lifted the temporarily shut down of ferry services late in the afternoon.
The Philippine Coast Guard said rescuers recovered more bodies on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 31 with three missing. The bodies of two UAE-based teachers, who were initially declared missing, were among those retrieved.
Philippine authorities said the dead were mostly passengers of two ferries that flipped over in sudden wind gusts and powerful waves on Saturday off Guimaras and Iloilo provinces.
Meanwhile, Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi Second Secretary/Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil said they will extend assistance to the families of the victims in claiming benefits from authorities.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE