DFA: No reports of Filipinos affected by Japan quake so far

Firefighters and others watch the port to check the water level as a tsunami warning is issued following an earthquake in Soma, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. Coastal residents in Japan were ordered to flee to higher ground on Tuesday after a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture. AP

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it had not received reports of any Filipino affected by the strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northeastern Japan and triggered a 3-foot-high tsunami.

In a text message, DFA assistant secretary Charles Jose said the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo continues to monitor the situation of Filipinos in Japan, following the quake that struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture, site of the crippled Fukushima Daiishi nuclear power plant.
READ: 3-foot-high tsunami recorded after strong quake in Japan

“So far there are no reports of any Filipino affected by the earthquake in Japan. Our Embassy in Tokyo continues to monitor the situation closely,” Jose told INQUIRER.net

In 2011, a massive undersea quake that sent a tsunami killed more than 18,000 people and sent three reactors into meltdown, in what was considered as one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters.

Japan’s meteorological agency initially estimated the quake’s magnitude at 7.3. The quake was felt in the capital of Tokyo, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

There are about 240,000 registered Filipinos in Japan. CBB