Taiwan earthquake: OFWs injured rise to 4

This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024, shows a barricade erected around debris in the compound of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. A major 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan’s east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by CNA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Another Taiwan-based Filipino worker got injured during the major earthquake near the island, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

DMW Officer in Charge Hans Cacdac confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday that, “We have a 4th Taiwan overseas Filipino worker injured due to the earthquake. She sustained head injuries due to falling debris.”

“She is out of harm’s way and is being treated by a doctor,” he also said.

The DMW likewise disclosed that the earthquake affected about 5,000 Filipinos in Taiwan.

On Thursday, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) Chairman Silvestre Bello III said three overseas Filipino workers susffered minor injuries following the 7.2 tremor, which knocked off buildings in Taiwan and triggered tsunami alerts in the region.

According to Bello, among the injured was “Sylvia,” who sustained a swollen hand.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake – which was initially reported as 7.5 – hit Taiwan’s east coast a couple of minutes before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3.

Officials said it was the strongest to shake the island in decades, and warned of more tremors in the days ahead..