Pque woman listed as first Pinay Tsunami victim

Sad news here…

From Manila Standard Today:

THE Philippine Embassy in Tokyo has said the remains of a Filipina and her daughter who died from the 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami that hit northeast Japan on March 11 have been identified in Fukushima.

Fukushima police said the remains of Mrs. Grace Agnes Oprecio-Hiruta, 45, a native of Parañaque City, was identified by her husband, Masahiro Hiruta.

A rescue team discovered Mrs. Hiruta’s body near the house of a Mr. Suzuki on March 19 in Iwaki City. Her daughter Maria, 12, also died as a result of the tsunami that has killed thousands of people and sent thousands more missing.

Mrs. Hiruta’s family in Parañaque had been informed of her death, the embassy said.

“We express our sincere condolences to the family,” Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said.

The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Department says about 50 Filipinos are still missing in the tsunami-hit areas.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines on Tuesday flew 70,000 bottles of distilled water to Japan that were donated by Asia Brewery Inc.

The airline said earlier it would fly donated relief to Japan for free, space permitting. Eric B. Apolonio