2 Pinay nurses die in Australia crash

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipina nurses died while five others were injured in a multiple vehicle collision in Australia on Friday morning, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday expressed condolences to the family of the two unidentified fatalities in car crash at a highway in Wallaroo, a town an hour away from Australian capital Canberra.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the loved ones of two of our own who lost their lives in this tragedy,” said Cayetano.

“We join the Filipino community in praying for the quick recovery of those injured,” he added.

Citing a report from Philippine ambassador to Australia Minda Cruz, the DFA said the victims were on their way to an El Shaddai anniversary event in Melbourne when their Dodge Journey collided head-on with a Toyota Land Cruiser.

Among those injured was the pharmacist-husband of one of the fatalities, three children and another relative.

Australian media said a third vehicle was also hit in the crash, although all of its passengers were unharmed.

The DFA said the victims were active members of the Filipino community in Canberra.

Ontario, Indiana incidents

Meanwhile, the DFA said they are also checking if there are Filipinos involved in the explosion in Ontario, Canada and the latest school shooting in Indiana, United States.

The agency said the Philippine consulate in Toronto is communicating with the Filipino community in Mississauga, Ontario where an explosion occurred at an Indian restaurant on Thursday evening.

Fifteen people were reportedly injured in the blast.

The DFA said the Philippine consulate in Chicago has also reached out to the Filipino community in Indiana after the shooting incident at Noblesville West Middle School in Hamilton County north of Indianapolis.