DFA checking if Filipinos among victims in Germany van crash

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin is checking with authorities to see if any Filipinos are among the casualties in a van crash in the northern part of Germany. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The Philippine Embassy in Berlin is checking with authorities to see if any Filipinos are among the casualties in a van crash in the northern part of Germany.

Two people were killed and about dozens injured when the incident took place outside a restaurant in the city of Muenster in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, about 475 kilometers from Berlin.

The van driver, initially identified as a German citizen, reportedly shot and killed himself after the crash.

Quoting Embassy Chargè d’Affaires Lilibeth Pono, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said around 4,100 of the 22,500 Filipinos in Germany are in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Embassy has already requested the Philippine Honorary Consul in Essen, Heinz-Peter Heidrich, to assist in coordinating with police authorities in Munster.

For its part, the DFA advised all Filipinos in Germany to remain vigilant.

Members of the Filipino community were urged to contact the Embassy if there were Filipino casualties in the Muenster incident.

Their emergency contact numbers are: +49-173-521-5703 (hotline); +49-173-521-5702, +49-308-649-500.