(Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs said that there were no Filipinos among the reported casualties so far in Taiwan following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Southern Taiwan.
Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose said that they have not yet received reports of any Filipino casualties in the powerful quake that shook Tainan where eight had been reported killed
Eagle News correspondents in Taiwan Michael Suarez and Lalaine Millendez also reported that there were no Filipino casualties found in the region where the quake struck.
Suarez, who was in Tainan, recalled how buildings swayed at the time the quake hit around 4 a.m. Millendez who was in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, also described how they felt when the quake struck Taiwan. She said that around 200 factory workers staying in their dormitory were all safe.
She also reported how the Iglesia Ni Cristo ministers immediately visited the INC members in Taiwan to see how they are. INC District Minister Elmer Parungao said that the INC brethren there were all safe. There were also no reported damage in the INC places of worship in Taiwan.
According to another correspondent, Aaron Angel Paul Parungao, at least five aftershocks with a magnitude of 3.8 were felt in Tainan 30 minutes after the main quake struck citing a report from the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau.
Rescue operations continue as some 800 military soldiers were sent to help in the rescue efforts.
At least 403 were reported injured in the Taiwan quake. DFA said only two Filipinos were reported to have suffered minor injuries.