Singapore’s Filipino community grieves after car hits six domestic workers, killing two
- Among those involved were a pair of sisters, one of whom died while the other is in critical condition
- Their friends mourn lives lost so far from home and family in the Philippines, while others point out the lack of space for domestic workers to gather
Then came a loud bang, and screams – an out-of-control car had mounted the kerb on Nutmeg Road and hit six women, before crashing through a railing and falling several metres to the shopping centre’s car park exit lane. Two of those struck by the black Honda died; the four others were injured.
Among those involved in the December 29 accident were a pair of sisters, according to local media. Arlyn Nucos, 50, was killed, while Arcely, 56, is in critical condition. Abigail Danao Leste, 41, was also killed, while the other three women were hospitalised – two of whom were discharged on Monday evening.
The six were close friends who often met on weekends. Arlyn and Abigail had been working in Singapore for more than 20 years, while some of the injured had been in the city state for at least a decade. The driver, a 64-year-old man who works for ride-hailing firm Grab, was arrested at the scene.
I can tell she was a very good friend because her friends are all crying
The sense of loss among the Filipino community in Singapore was palpable. Domestic worker Josephine Lopez, 38, who has had a job in the country for seven years, said her phone had not stopped buzzing since the accident. Her friends are circulating photos of the women, expressing their sadness that a Sunday picnic turned into a tragedy.