MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Beirut strongly urged all Filipinos in Lebanon to leave the country after an unprecedented series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon.
On the evenings of Sept. 17 and 18, the embassy said “Lebanon experienced unprecedented explosions of beepers, resulting in at least 11 confirmed fatalities and over 2,800 injuries.”
The explosions predominantly occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut, South Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said no Filipino was injured.
“The Philippine embassy strongly urges all Filipino nationals to CONSIDER leaving the country while commercial flights are still available. Your safety and well-being are of utmost priority,” the embassy said in its advisory.
“Those who intend to remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain in contact with the embassy,” it said.
The embassy advised Filipinos to ensure that important documents such as passports and iqamas are at hand and they should closely monitor local and international news.
It also urged Filipinos to be aware of their surroundings and avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.
“Everyone is reminded to stay in touch with the Philippine embassy in Lebanon and the Migrant Workers Office for voluntary repatriation and to update their status,” the embassy said.
“The Philippine embassy understands that this may be a challenging time, and we are here to support you throughout this process. Your prompt action is crucial to ensure your safety and well-being,” it said.