To date, 60 Filipinos in Syria affected by earthquake – DFA

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 February 6, 2023. – A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, 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 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said that the major earthquake that rocked Syria has so far affected 60 Filipinos in the middle eastern country.

Specifically, the DFA said affected Filipinos in Syria were from Aleppo (27), Latakia (19), Tartous (11), and Hama (3).

It, however, noted that no Filipino has been hurt by the disaster.

“The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported (February 6) that leaders of the Filipino community have been contacted and they confirmed that no Filipino was injured as a result of the earthquake in regions including those that were greatly affected such as Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters in a message.

The DFA also said it still has not received reports of any Filipino casualties in Turkey which was also rattled by the deadly earthquake.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit central Turkey and northwest Syria early Monday. The temblor was also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.

To date, the catastrophic earthquake killed more than 4,300 in Turkey and Syria.

KGA