A total of four Filipinos have already been confirmed dead in the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon earlier this week, and one of them is a native of Guimaras.
The Provincial Government of Guimaras confirmed that Milagros Sumaculob from New Poblacion, Buenavista was one of the Filipino casualties in the blast.
The explosion last August 4 came from a stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left sitting in a warehouse ever since it was confiscated from an impounded cargo ship in 2013.
Philippine Embassy in Lebanon reported that aside from four deaths, 31 Filipinos were also injured by the incident. There are approximately 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of them in the Greater Beirut area.
Governor Samuel T. Gumarin expressed his message of sympathy for the bereaved family in a Facebook post:
“We are deeply pained to hear that the recent explosion in Beirut killed a fellow Guimarasnon. While we stand in solidarity with the world in this difficult time and grief, the provincial government will be right behind the bereaved family of Milagros Sumaculob from New Poblacion, Buenavista, all throughout the process up until her body will be transported back home. We will provide the family all the needed coordination and assistance in this heartbreaking situation.”
“This is another sad and tragic chapter for Guimaras – a Guimarasnon who was supposed to go back home for good in December this year will be home a few months early but not with a smile anymore. Our deepest condolences to the family.” (with reports from Inquirer.net)
