Kin of Louisiana blast victims to fly to US

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said that travel arrangements to the United States are now being made for the family members of the Filipino workers who were injured in the oil platform fire off Louisiana last Friday.

The DFA said that it issued passports to the family members on Monday. It also said that it has requested the US embassy in Manila to facilitate the issuance of the visas for the visiting relatives of the victims.

A Filipino worker was killed in the oil platform blast and another remains missing. Four more Filipino workers suffered major burns and are now being treated at Baton Rouge General Medical Center.

Deputy Consul General Orontes Castro Jr. assured the families that the four Filipino workers who are being treated for serious burns are receiving proper care.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana Monday morning to check the condition of the Filipino survivors.

He will also attend to the remains of the lone fatality, Elroy Corporal, 42, and monitor the ongoing search efforts for the still missing Filipino worker.

The envoy went to the Baton Rouge General Hospital where two of the four injured Filipinos remain in critical condition.

One is in serious but stable condition while the last one, Wilberto Ilagan, 50, is in fair condition.

The embassy said Cuisia will oversee preparations for the repatriation of Corporal’s remains to the Philippines.