Palace offers prayers for people affected by magnitude-6.7 quake in Hokkaido, Japan

Malacañang on Thursday offered prayers for the people of Japan affected by a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan.

“Our prayers to the people of Japan who were affected by a powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck their northern region this morning,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

Roque added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is coordinating with the Filipino community in Japan to ensure their safety.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to monitor the situation and stays in touch with the leaders of the Filipino community in Hokkaido to check the condition of our kababayans there and ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for,” he said.

A powerful earthquake rocked northern Japan on Thursday morning, triggering landslides that destroyed many houses and other buildings in Hokkaido.

Initial reports indicated that the quake left two persons dead and more than a hundred people injured. /vvp