OFW dies of cardiac arrest while traveling home

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) died due to cardiac arrest while traveling home to Dumaguete, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) confirmed on Wednesday.

The OFW, identified as Wilma Auza, worked in Kuwait and was in transit on 4 August when she suffered a cardiac arrest.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan said the agency is still gathering information on Auza’s case, noting that she was not repatriated but returned to the Philippines after her employment contract ended.

“We are finding out because she was not a repatriated worker. She came home because of the end of her contract. We are on the ground,” Caunan said.

Reports indicated that a valid Kuwait Civil ID, a passport, and cash worth P17,000 were found in her belongings. Auza reportedly took a connecting flight from Kuwait to Japan before heading to the Philippines.

A video circulating on social media showed the OFW unresponsive and slumped in her bus seat.

OWWA said they have already reached out to the family of the OFW to extend assistance.

“OWWA has spoken with her family and continues to coordinate with them to convey our deepest condolences, support, and the financial aid allocated to them under existing programs for the welfare of the families left behind by our OFWs,” the agency said in a statement.