MANILA (PNA) — A Filipino died due to suffocation and a compatriot was injured when their bus caught fire on July 18 while on a tour of feudal-age towns in the north of Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Friday.

Dense smoke engulfed the bus, which was blamed on faulty electric wiring.

The fatality, Milan City resident Procopio de la Cruz, and injured Filipino woman Billy Jane Sabio were among 65 Filipinos on the ill-fated bus when the fire struck as it was traveling through the towns of Varazze and Celle Ligure, picturesque resort towns north of the fabled city of Milan.

Sabio was taken to a hospital in Genoa for treatment and her condition has reportedly stabilized, DFA said.

Eighteen other Filipinos suffered from smoke inhalation and were brought to hospitals in the towns of Savona, Voltri and Pietra Ligure for treatment, but is is not clear if they have been released.

DFA did not indicate if there were other foreigners on the trip. (PNA)