Bodies of Doha mall fire victims arrive

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of the three Filipino teachers killed in a fire that destroyed a major shopping mall in Doha, Qatar have been repatriated, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The remains of overseas Filipino worker Maribelle Orosco arrived in Manila Tuesday, while those of Julie Ann Soco and Margie Yecyec arrived Thursday.

From Manila, the victims’ remains were brought to their respective provinces. The three were teachers in a nursery school located in the mall.

The school offered financial assistance to facilitate the victims’ repatriation and the payment of the victims’ end-of-service benefits. It likewise coordinated with the mall management for the immediate release of possible death benefits.

The Embassy also extended assistance to Orosco’s brother, Michael, who survived the fire. He was treated for smoke inhalation at Doha’s Hamad Hospital. According to reports received by the embassy, he rushed to the mall to respond to his sister’s call for help.

Qatar’s heir apparent, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, said the government will investigate the May 28 fire. The government gave $5,000 to each of the victims’ families.