THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, January 13, said no Filipinos were among the victims of the explosion at a bakery in Paris.
The Philippine Embassy in Paris said it was informed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs that none of the fatalities or the around 50 who were injured in the explosion was from the Philippines.
There are around 25,000 Filipinos in France, majority of them in Paris.
Chargé d’Affaires Aileen Mendiola said the explosion at the bakery along Rue de Trevise was believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
Meanwhile, the Paris Fire Department said rescuers have found a woman's body under the rubble of the bakery, bringing the overall death toll to four.
Paris Fire Department spokesman Eric Moulin told reporters Sunday that nine people were still in critical condition from the explosion that devastated a Paris street and 45 others also injured but not as seriously.
He had said earlier that French rescuers were searching for a missing woman living in the building where the bakery was located.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said Saturday the cause of the blast appeared to be accidental. He said Paris firefighters were already on the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened. Two firefighters were among those killed.
About 30 firefighters were at the site Sunday to search for other potential victims, amid a mountain of debris and wrecked cars.
Paris authorities said 12 neighboring buildings that were damaged by the blast have been evacuated. Temporary accommodations were provided for about 40 residents while dozens of others have been housed by family and friends.
The city hall of Paris 9th arrondissement was offering meals and collecting clothes Sunday to help evacuated people. (SunStar Philippines/AP)