MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has initiated the delivery of relief and aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and fellow countrymen caught in a deadly road accident in Germany on September 27.
According to initial updates received by the agency, one of the two recorded Filipino fatalities was a documented OFW, while several of the surviving victims are workers stationed in Italy and other European nations.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that a special team was dispatched to Germany to directly assist the 17 Filipinos reported to have suffered severe injuries, along with 14 others who sustained minor or no injuries, as well as their immediate families.
”We are mindful that some, if not most or all, of the passengers are OFWs based in Italy or other parts of Europe. The DMW and OWWA are working hand-in-hand with the DFA to extend immediate assistance, hospital support, and welfare monitoring,” Cacdac said.
Official reports indicate that the chartered vehicle was carrying 35 individuals—including 33 passengers and two drivers—when it departed Milan, Italy, heading toward Germany for the annual Oktoberfest celebrations.
German law enforcement authorities stated that the long-distance coach ran off the A96 motorway and flipped over near the town of Buchloe.
Inter-agency coordination between the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) covers the repatriation of the deceased, financial and welfare support for the grieving relatives, and full medical support for the injured.
Cacdac noted that Philippine diplomatic missions in both Germany and Milan are continuously tracking the medical status of all hospitalized Filipinos to ensure seamless treatment, eventual transport or repatriation arrangements, and supplementary welfare funds.
Additionally, Philippine labor and consular diplomats based in Germany and Italy are working directly alongside German law enforcement officials, emergency responders, and medical personnel regarding crash investigations, patient support, and ancillary care.
“The DMW through its Migrant Workers Office in Berlin and in Milan, in coordination with PCG Frankfurt and PCG Milan will provide the services of legal counsel in their respective jurisdiction to ensure that justice is served to the affected Filipino nationals,” Cacdac added.