Filipinos affected by Bologna blast

The Philippine Consulate General in Milan has reported that two Filipino families in Borgo Panigale were affected by the fuel tanker explosion near the Bologna airport on Monday.

Consul General Irene Susan Natividad informed the Home Office that the apartment units where the two families were staying sustained major damage from the explosion.

There were no injuries reported among the family members, who were evacuated by authorities and accommodated at a local hotel.

Consul General Natividad informed the Home Office that she is dispatching Vice Consul Flaureen Dacanay and Welfare Officer Jocelyn Hapal to Bologna to assist the affected families.

She said the two will also seek updates from authorities to determine if there were any Filipinos among those reported injured in the incident.

Initial reports received by the Department of Foreign Affairs from Milan revealed at least two persons died and more than 60 were injured in the explosion.

Natividad extended the Philippine government’s sympathies to Bologna over the mishap.

“We are saddened by the loss of life in the accident in Bologna and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Natividad said in a statement.

She said there are an estimated 20,000 Filipinos in the Emilia Romagna Region where Bologna is located.

Natividad said the explosion was triggered by a fuel tanker that crashed into another vehicle along a major highway near the Bologna airport.