The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today extended condolences to the Philippine government and offered to provide assistance following a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the central Philippines last night, killing at least 69 people.
The ministry said in a statement that it had not received any reports of Taiwanese nationals being injured, killed or trapped after the quake hit off Bogo City in Cebu province, in the central Visayas region.
The ministry is closely monitoring rescue and relief efforts, and has informed Manila that Taipei is ready to provide humanitarian assistance if needed.
Photo: EPA
It also urged Taiwanese nationals in the Philippines to contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila in case of emergencies by calling its round-the-clock emergency hotline at 63-917-819-4597 or 0917-819-4597.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Administration said that no Taiwanese tour groups have reported being affected by the quake in Cebu, a popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian country.
The earthquake struck just before 10pm last night, leaving at least 69 people dead and more than 150 injured, while hundreds of buildings collapsed, Reuters cited Philippine authorities as saying.
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