DFA confirms no Filipinos killed in fatal New York bus crash

• The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that no Filipinos were among the five fatalities in a fatal bus crash in upstate New York

• While no Filipinos were killed, some were among the injured passengers, prompting the Philippine Consulate General in New York to set up a hotline for assistance

• The victims who died in the crash were identified as nationals from India, China, and the U.S.

• Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, with initial findings ruling out mechanical failure and driver impairment as factors

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that no Filipinos were among the five people killed in a tour bus crash in upstate New York that occurred on a Friday afternoon.

The statement came as a clarification to earlier reports that suggested Filipinos were among the casualties of the tragic accident.

According to a DFA statement, the New York State Police have officially identified all five deceased passengers, and none of them were Filipino nationals.

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The fatalities were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a Chinese national and student at Columbia University; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and Jian Mingli, 56, both from New Jersey.

The crash, which took place around 12:22 p.m. on Interstate 90 between exits 48A and 49 in the town of Pembroke, has left dozens of other passengers injured.

The bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc., was carrying 54 people on a day trip from Niagara Falls back to New York City when it veered into the median, abruptly corrected, and rolled over onto an embankment.

While the DFA has confirmed no Filipino deaths, it noted that some Filipinos were among the injured passengers.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York has been in close contact with U.S. authorities and has set up a hotline for any Filipinos needing assistance.

"Most of the passengers brought to hospitals have been discharged," said a DFA spokesperson, "and those that sustained major injuries are expected to recover."

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The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the New York State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Initial findings have ruled out mechanical failure and driver impairment as factors. Police said the driver, Bin Shao, 55, was cooperating with the investigation and that distraction was the suspected cause of the accident.

Eyewitness accounts and on-site reports revealed that many passengers were ejected from the vehicle during the rollover, with investigators noting that most people on the bus were likely not wearing seat belts.

The tragedy has prompted a collective outpouring of grief and support. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and translators were dispatched to the scene to assist non-English speaking passengers.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and accountability for tour operators.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.

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In other news, a police officer was killed and two civilians were wounded in a robbery-shooting incident in Taft Avenue, Pasay City. The attack, which occurred on a Saturday night, is believed by police to be an attempted robbery. One of the two suspects, the motorcycle driver, has been arrested, but the gunman remains at large. The Pasay City Police has launched a manhunt for the second suspect and is committed to bringing him to justice.

Still in other news, the owners of Draco Builders, a high-end construction firm, were arrested by the NBI at NAIA for a P200 million estafa case. The suspects, a couple identified as Nicole and Miguel Syjuco, are accused of failing to complete three major projects in Mindanao despite receiving a majority of the payments. The couple was apprehended upon their arrival from Hong Kong based on an arrest warrant from a Davao Occidental court. The charges against them fall under Article 315 (1)(b) of the Revised Penal Code for contractual deceit and misappropriation of funds.

Source: KAMI.com.gh