DFA: No reported Filipino casualties in Syria after strong earthquake

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday stated that there were no Filipino casualties in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that also affected Syria last week.

Speaking during the “Laging Handa” public briefing, DFA acting Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega noted the number of Filipinos affected by the strong temblor in northwestern Syria.

“Iyong sa Syria, may sisenta doon sa northwest Syria, at walang casualties (In Syria, there are 60 Filipinos in northwest Syria and there are no casualties),” he said.

However, the official pointed out although all Filipinos were accounted for in Syria, they are also asking for aid such as relief goods.

De Vega said a team from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus will provide help to the affected Filipinos.

“May six-man team na pupunta from the Philippines, pupunta doon…galing Damascus para bigyan kung anong kailangan nila na tulong (There is a six-man team who will go there from the Philippines…from Damascus to provide the aid they need),” he said.

Turkiye and Syria were rocked by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday, Feb. 6, leaving thousands of people stuck in the debris of collapsed buildings.

The two major tremors and hundreds of aftershocks destroyed thousands of buildings across 10 provinces in Turkiye, which led to questions on the country’s building codes and infrastructure.

The current death toll in Turkiye and Syria is now at 36,000.