No report of Filipinos affected by Italy quake—DFA

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said it has not received reports of Filipinos affected by the powerful quake that struck central Italy.

READ: Italy earthquake toll climbs: at least 18 dead

In a text message, DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said the Philippine Embassy in Rome continues to monitor the situation in Italy, where at least 18 people have died following the 6.2-magnitude quake in the early hours of Wednesday.

Jose said there are about 170,000 Filipinos in Italy.

Reports said the tremors were strong enough to wake residents of central Rome some 150 kilometers away.

Deaths were reported in the villages of Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, in a mountainous area across the regions of Lazio and Marche.