Philippine gov't identifies foreign casualties in Mayon eruption

The Philippine government has identified the foreign casualties who were killed in Tuesday's phreatic eruption of Mayon volcano.

The foreign affairs department said Wednesday three fatalities were from Germany and one from Spain. They were: Roland Tietze, Furian Stelter and Joanne Edosa from Germany and Sara Frances from Spain.

Five Thai nationals were wounded. They were identified as Udomkiat Taweebhurut, Tanut Ruchipiyrak, Boonchai Jattupornpong, Benjama Sansuk and Nithi Ruangpisit.

An Austrian national escaped with minor injuries and was able to return to Manila Tuesday afternoon.

Foreign Affairs Spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippine government is extending its "deepest sympathy" to the victims of the phreatic eruption of Mt. Mayon. He added that the foreign affairs department will update the embassies of the involved nationals on the latest developments.