DubaiI: A Filipino died of a suspected heat stroke inside the compound of the Philippine consulate in Al Ghusais on Tuesday morning.
The victim was identified as Alex Galano Lapore, 37. A consulate official said that based on their CCTV footage, Lapore entered the premises of the labour office at around 10.25am.
Upon reaching the steps near the building entrance, he collapsed and fell face down.
An ambulance was called and paramedics resuscitated Lapore before rushing him to the emergency ward of Rashid Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Consul Ryan Pondoc, who heads the Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) Section at the consulate, said they rushed to the scene after being notified of the incident.
"The paramedics tried very hard to revive him for about 10 to 15 minutes. His face had some bruises due to the impact of his fall," Pondoc told Gulf News.
"We regret to inform that Mr Lapore eventually died due presumably to heat stroke, although we have yet to wait for the official cause of death after the investigation. We have notified the next-of-kin in the Philippines and his brother who is based here in Dubai," he added.
Pondoc said his office will assist in the repatriation of Lapore's remains after all formalities have been completed.
Lapore's body has been taken for forensics examination.
Summer temperatures in Dubai could hover in the high 40s. The mercury is expected to hit a maximum of 48 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Friends and colleagues close to Lapore said he is a regular client of the consulate and the labour office as Lapore handles many welfare cases of Filipinos in need.
Lapore is an active member of the Rights and Welfare Assistance Programme of the migrant rights group, Migrante International - UAE.
Tatskie Eldemin Escares, Lapore's colleague at Migrante, said Lapore's death is a "big loss" to the community.
"Alex had a big heart for serving the people. His passion and zeal for public service was evident in everything he did. Until recently, he was also involved in many charitable activities to help others in need, especially cancer patients who need help," Escares told Gulf News.
