DFA: Pinoy dies, another airlifted in Italy bus accident

A Filipino died of suffocation while another was hospitalized after a tourist bus they were riding caught fire in Italy last July 18, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Citing a belated report from the Philippine Consulate-General in Milan, the DFA identified the fatality as Procopio de la Cruz. "Milan resident Procopio de la Cruz died of suffocation when a tourist bus containing 63 other Filipinos caught fire. Initial investigations suggested that it was due to an electric short circuit," the DFA said on its website. The incident occurred between the towns of Varazze and Celle Ligure in Italy, the DFA said. It said another Filipina, Billy Jane Sabio, was airlifted to a hospital in Genova due to her injuries. Her condition has already stabilized. At least 18 other passengers suffered from smoke inhalation and were brought to hospitals in the towns of Savona, Voltri and Pietra Ligure. The DFA said its Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs had instructed the Consulate General to provide assistance to the victims and to coordinate the possible repatriation of the remains and entitlement to benefits. — RSJ, GMANews.TV