Jeddah: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Jeddah, has extended immediate assistance to three Filipino nurses involved in a hit-and-run accident in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia on Jan. 31. One of the victims died while the other two sustained major injuries.

According to Philippines News Agency, following instructions from Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Labor Attach© Fidel Macauyag of MWO Jeddah immediately sent a four-person team to Tabuk to ensure the victims receive proper medical care and assistance. Initial reports showed that the three nurses were on their way home from Tabuk Park Mall when the incident occurred.

The MWO Jeddah earlier stated, "Noong patawid na sila sa isang malawak na kalsada sa Muruj Al Amir District, sa may harapan ng naturang Mall, ay bigla silang binangga ng humaharurot na napakabilis na sasakyan (The three OFWs were already on their way home after going to the mall at Tabuk Park Mall. As they were crossing a wide road in the Muruj Al Amir District, in front of the mall, they were suddenly hit by a speeding car)." The victims, who were then unconscious, were taken by ambulance to King Khalid Civilian Hospital.

The car driver has been arrested and is currently under investigation by local authorities. One of the injured nurses was transferred to Riyadh for further medical treatment and surgery.

Assistance is now being provided to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the remains of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW), including helping the family gather the necessary documents. Families of the victims have already been informed, along with the next of kin (NOK) of the incident. The agency vowed to closely monitor the condition of the injured nurses and remains committed to providing full support to the victims and their families.