No Filipinos hurt after major Japan quake, some evacuated — PH envoy

Road cracks caused by an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan January 1, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipino has been killed or hurt following the major earthquake that hit Japan on New Year’s day, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Albano said on Tuesday.

Citing reports from Filipino community leaders, Albano said Japan-based Filipinos are safe, adding that some have already evacuated.

“Salamat sa Diyos, wala pa tayong reports of Filipinos having been injured dahil dito sa lindol. Ang nakukuha naming information from our Filipino communities in the affected areas are that meron pong napunta na sa evacuation centers. Meron nang nagpunta sa city hall sa mga areas kasi nga po pinalikas na sila to avoid ‘yung possible tsunami,” said Albano over Radyo 630.

(Thank God, we have no reports of Filipinos having been injured because of this earthquake. The information we are getting from our Filipino communities in the affected areas is that some have already gone to the evacuation centers. Someone went to the city hall in the areas because they were evacuated to avoid the possible tsunami.)

READ: DMW activates helpline for Filipinos affected by powerful Japan quake

Albano detailed that they are in continuous contact with Filipino leaders in Japan through social media channels. She said they are able to report that to their knowledge, no Filipinos have been harmed.

The quake was recorded with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. It struck the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture in Central Japan at about 4:10 p.m. on January 1.

READ: Massive earthquake jolts Japan, residents rush to evacuate coast

Albano said aftershocks are expected in the next few days due to this major quake.

Asked when evacuated Filipinos may go back to their residences, Albano said they need to wait for the advice of Japan’s local government, adding that they are the one on top of the situation.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told INQUIRER.net that roughly 298,740 Filipinos are in Japan. This includes about 1,305 in Ishikawa Prefecture.