A member of a rescue team walks with his tools towards a collapsed building following an earthquake in the government-held Syrian city of Aleppo on Feb. 6, 2023. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing hundreds of people as they slept, levelling buildings, and sending tremors that were felt as far away as the island of Cyprus and Egypt. (Photo by AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipinos in Turkey have died following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck there, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara reported on Friday.
The embassy condoled with the bereaved families.
“It is with deepest regret that the Embassy must inform the public of the passing of two Filipinos, both earlier reported to be missing in Antakya,” it said in a statement.
“The Embassy and Consulate General express their deepest condolences and are in coordination with the victims’ families in both the Philippines and in Turkiye,” it added.
The two fatalities were among the three Filipinos earlier reported missing. The other Filipino “has fortunately been found alive,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Meanwhile, the DFA also reported that there are 34 evacuees composed of Filipinos, their spouses, and children.
The evacuees are bound for Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
Monitoring of other Filipinos who need aid or evacuation is underway.
“Another Embassy team will continue the mission from Mersin to check on the other Filipinos, who need assistance or may wish to be evacuated to safer areas,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters in a message.
The death toll from the Turkey tremor, which also jolted Syria, soared past 20,000 to date.
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