The remains of the victims of the fire that engulfed a major shopping mall in Doha, Qatar have been repatriated through the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Qatar.

The remains of Maribelle Orosco arrived in Manila last June 5, while those of Julie Ann Soco and Margie Yecyec arrived on June 7.

From Manila, the victims' remains were brought to their respective provinces. The three were teachers in a nursery school located inside the mall.

Some of the victims' relatives traveled to Qatar with the Embassy's and the Qatari Government's assistance to personally oversee the return of their loved ones' remains.

The Embassy made representations with the school owner who readily offered financial assistance to facilitate the remains' repatriation and the payment of the victims' end-of-service benefits. It likewise coordinated with the mall's management for the immediate release of possible death benefits.

A donation campaign was undertaken among Filipinos, Qataris, and other foreigners in Qatar. Its proceeds were divided between the victims' next-of-kin.

The Embassy also extended assistance to one Filipino survivor, Michael Orosco, Maribelle's brother. Michael was treated for smoke inhalation at Doha's Hamad Hospital.

According to reports received by the Embassy, he rushed to the mall to respond to his sister's call for help.

Qatar's Heir Apparent, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, for his part, assured the victims' relatives that the Qatari Government will look into cause of the tragic incident and that cases will be filed against those who would be found responsible for the incident.

A 5,000-US dollar donation was also given to each of the victims' families.

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente R. Relacion expressed his gratitude to the Heir Apparent for his sincere gesture of personally offering his condolences and for the Qatari Government's help.*