Pinoy fatalities rise to 7 in Algeria attack

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday that another Filipino was among those killed in the hostage-taking at a gas field in Algeria, bringing to seven the number of Filipino fatalities. Two Filipino workers remain unaccounted for.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said one overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was originally considered unaccounted for was positively identified by the Philippine team in Algeria as one of those who died in the incident in In Amenas.

“We only have two unaccounted for and considered missing. The team in Algeria is still trying to find out about the two missing,” Hernandez said.

He said most of the Filipinos who were working at the In Amenas gas facility died due to gunshot wounds and effects of the explosion.

Meanwhile, the Philippine team in Algeria visited the four injured OFWs being treated in Al Azhar Clinic in Algiers.

“The Filipinos are doing well,” Hernandez said.

He said the Philippine team continues to work with Algerian authorities and employers in facilitating the repatriation of the OFWs, in looking for those unaccounted for and in identifying the remains of those who died in the incident.