No Filipinos were hurt or killed by the major earthquake that hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning, according to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
MECO chairman and resident representative Silvestro Bello III assured the relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan that they were neither hurt or seriously affected by the strong tremor.
“We are thankful that we have not received reports of any of our kababayans being hurt or badly affected by the powerful earthquake that hit Taiwan this morning,” said Bello in a statement.
“Our kababayans and OFWs are all accounted for and safe,” he added.
Latest data from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said there are 66,475 OFWs in Taiwan.
Bello said Filipino communities, particularly in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung reported that there were no Filipino casualties in their ranks during the tremor and the aftershocks.
Meanwhile, the DMW said it is monitoring the situation of OFW.
“Three Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Taiwan have already activated the protocols with Filipino communities, leaders, relevant Taiwan government agencies as well as employers and trade associations to ascertain the safety and status of Taiwan-based OFWs,” the DMW statement read.
“The Taiwan MWOs are prepared to provide immediate assistance to affected OFWs as necessary,” it added.
The earthquake, with a strong magnitude of 7.4 hit Taiwan before 8 a.m., with the United States Geological Survey putting the epicenter 18 kilometers south of Taiwan’s Hualien City, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers.