Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) lost their lives amid severe flooding in the United Arab Emirates, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Thursday. According to DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, two of the fatalities occurred when the victims suffocated inside their vehicle, trapped by floodwaters. A third worker died in a vehicular accident caused by the adverse conditions.
The torrential rains, which hit the region earlier this week, caused extensive damage across the UAE, halting operations at Dubai’s airport and leading to flooding in residential areas, roads, and major shopping centers like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. The flooding also affected public transportation, with water reaching ankle depth in at least one metro station in Dubai.
Undersecretary Cacdac has pledged full support and assistance to the families of the deceased workers. The storms, which previously claimed 18 lives in Oman, have brought an unusual amount of rainfall to the typically arid Gulf region, affecting multiple countries including Bahrain.