A tragic vehicular accident occurred at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Saturday morning, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring three others. Among the fatalities was a five-year-old girl, the daughter of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), while her father, an OFW accompanying his family, survived the incident.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license involved in the recent SUV crash at NAIA Terminal 1. Additionally, the agency has issued a show-cause order to the registered owner of the vehicle.
According to the LTO, the incident occurred as the driver was leaving the departure area after dropping off a passenger. A sedan reportedly passed in front of his vehicle, which caused the driver to panic. This led to an accidental acceleration as he mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brakes.
Details of the Incident
The crash happened around 8 a.m. at the departure area of Terminal 1. According to initial reports, a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was parked near the terminal entrance suddenly accelerated. The vehicle breached an outer railing and struck pedestrians waiting in the terminal queue. The unexpected impact caused chaos in the area.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the deaths of the girl and an unidentified male adult. Speaking to the media, Dizon expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He particularly highlighted the grief of the OFW father, who had been seeing his family off before the tragedy unfolded.
“We are deeply saddened by this accident, especially for the OFW who lost his young daughter,” Dizon said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this painful time.”
Investigation and Support for Victims
The vehicle’s driver is currently in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP). While early findings suggest that the crash was not intentional, Secretary Dizon noted that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
The NAIA Terminal 1 operator, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), has issued a statement. According to officials, the immediate area has been secured, with only authorized security and investigative personnel allowed access. NNIC President Ramon Ang assured the public of the company’s commitment to support the affected individuals.
Ang stated that all medical expenses for the injured will be covered, and financial assistance will be extended to the families of the deceased. “This is a very tragic incident. Our top priority is ensuring the victims and their loved ones get the necessary care and assistance,” he said.
Ongoing Security Measures
Airport authorities have heightened safety protocols at terminal entrances following the crash. Additional barriers and precautionary measures are being discussed to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The investigation continues as officials work to understand the circumstances that led to this devastating tragedy.