Guimarasnon who died in Beirut blast arrives today

The remains of a native of Guimaras province who died in the powerful blast that devastated Beirut, Lebanon on Aug 4, 2020 will arrive today, Aug 17.

According to Mayor Eugene Reyes of Buenavista, Guimaras, he was informed by the son of Milagros Sumaculob, 67, that a C130 plane of the Philippine Air Force will fly her body to Iloilo.

Reyes said Senator Bong Go facilitated the transportation of Sumaculob’s remains.

From Iloilo, the body will be brought home to Guimaras via roll-on roll-off ship.

Sumaculob of New Poblacion, Buenavista worked as household helper of a United Nations (UN) diplomat in Lebanon.

According to the provincial government of Guimaras, she died while being treated at the American University Hospital.

Sumaculob’s employer coordinated with her family and assured the prompt repatriation of her remains.

Her remains were airlifted from Lebanon to the Philippines on Aug 9.

The municipal and provincial governments have extended help to her family, especially in repatriating her body.

Sumaculob had been working in Lebanon since 2018 and was supposed to return home for good in December 2020.

The Beirut explosion was allegedly caused by about 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material, that was stored at the Port of Beirut