A Filipino couple died after their apartment in Paris caught fire on February 5.
The victims were identified by their relatives as Francisco and Cresencia Abalos from Mangaldan, Pangasinan, who lived at the 8th floor of the apartment building in the Rue Erlanger in the upscale 16th district of southwest Paris, France.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expresses its condolences to the loved ones of a Filipino couple through a statement issued on February 7.
The Department conveyed its sympathies after the Philippine Embassy in Paris received confirmation from the Crisis Center of the Paris Prefecture under the French Ministry of Interior that the Filipino couple was among the casualties.
The Embassy assisted the daughter of the victims after reporting that her parents were missing after the fire incident.
Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa Lazaro said four other Filipinos staying in the building survived the fire.
Ambassador Lazaro said the Embassy is ready to extend any help necessary to the families of the victims.
Authorities are now conducting an investigation regarding the incident and they are suspecting that it was a possible arson.
Aside from 10 deaths, 37 individuals, including six individuals also sustained injuries from the fire.
Around 30 people were evacuated from the building while tenants from neighboring buildings were also asked to move out from their homes.
