14 Pinoys die in Saudi crash

MANILA, Philippines - At least 14 Filipino workers were killed in a vehicular accident in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday the Philippine embassy in Riyadh received an unofficial report about the Filipinos involved in the accident.

“Our embassy in Riyadh was able to contact the (human resources department) of the company and the unofficial report they got was that a number of Filipino workers rode a coaster last night from work site to accommodation and got into a traffic accident,” Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a text message.

Jose said the management of Saudi Arabia Kentz, a contracting and engineering firm, was at the site of the accident and the hospital and would officially inform the embassy upon finalizing the report on the incident.

Thirteen other Filipinos and a Pakistani were reportedly injured in the accident in Hofuf, Al-Hassa in the Eastern Region.

Twenty-six Filipinos were on board the coaster driven by the Pakistani worker. The coaster reportedly collided with a delivery truck.

Meanwhile, Migrante International yesterday sought government assistance for Filipinos who died and were injured in the accident.

Mic Catuira, Migrante International deputy secretary general, said embassy officials are reportedly not taking any action on the incident.

“We demand immediate action and assistance from the government because we received reports that the DFA are busy with (the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit) and could not provide any information about the incident,” Catuira said in a statement.