Philippines – The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers is mourning the loss of three overseas Filipino workers who died tragically during the recent heavy flooding that inundated parts of the United Arab Emirates.
According to DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac, two Filipino women suffocated inside their vehicle after becoming trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters. A Filipino man also lost his life when his vehicle plunged into a sinkhole that opened amid the deluge.
“With profound sadness, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families on the untimely passing of their loved ones,” Cacdac said in a statement Thursday. “The entire DMW family stands in solidarity with them during this time of unimaginable grief.”
The identities of the three victims have not yet been released by UAE authorities as efforts remain ongoing to notify their next of kin in the Philippines.
Cacdac assured that the Philippine government, through its migrant workers’ offices and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is providing all possible assistance to the victims’ families. This includes facilitating repatriation of remains and any insurance claims or benefits the workers may have been entitled to.
Deadly cloudbursts transformed streets into raging rivers across the UAE this week, especially in the economic powerhouses of Dubai and Sharjah. While rare, such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common in the desert climate of the Arabian Peninsula due to climate change, experts say.
An estimated 650,000 Filipinos work in the UAE, comprising one of the largest overseas labor contingents. Many are employed in the construction sector or as domestic workers.
The DMW has advised Filipino nationals in the UAE to remain vigilant, heed all weather advisories from local authorities and avoid non-essential travel until the situation normalizes.
