By Junex Doronio

MANILA — So far, no one from among the 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan, including the 66,475 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), was reported injured or dead following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Taipei on Wednesday (3 April 2024) morning.

In Hualien where a building reportedly collapsed, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) deputy resident representative Alice Visperas said no one from the more than 5,000 Filipinos based there was among the casualties.

“Sa awa ng Diyos ay maayos naman ang ating mga kababayan. Wala pa tayong reported as of now na any injuries or casualties among Filipinos, as reported by our Filipino community leaders,” Visperas said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

“Based on our monitoring in Taipei and the reports from our field offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung, and the reports coming from our Filipino communities in Taiwan, there are no Filipino casualties or injuries in the aftermath of the earthquake and the aftershocks,” MECO chairman Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III also said in a statement.

For its part, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in its Facebook post that it is monitoring the situation of OFWs in Taiwan following the earthquake.

“The Taiwan MWOs (Migrant Workers’ Offices) are prepared to provide immediate assistance to affected OFWs as necessary,” the DMW said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has issued a warning of potential tsunami threats and initiated evacuations in coastal regions nationwide following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in neighboring Taiwan.

In an advisory issued by the state seismology institute, residents in coastal areas of multiple provinces facing Taiwan are strongly urged to evacuate to higher ground or move inland immediately.

Coastal regions spanning 23 provinces across the country, excluding the capital Manila, are anticipated to encounter significant tsunami waves according to tsunami wave models.

The onset of the first tsunami waves is predicted between 0033 GMT and 0233 GMT, with the possibility of continued wave activity for several hours. Boat owners in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal waters within the mentioned provinces are advised to secure their vessels and relocate away from the waterfront.

For those already at sea during this period, it is recommended to remain offshore in deeper waters until further instructions are provided.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

By CHRIS JEWERS (Mail Online)

CHINA — An overnight earthquake killed at least 118 people in a cold and mountainous region in northwestern China, in the nation’s deadliest quake in a decade.

Rescuers are now in a race to find survivors trapped beneath rubble left in the wake of the 6.2-magnitude tremor, which destroyed buildings and sparked landslides.

Emergency authorities in Gansu province appealed for 300 additional workers to comb through collapsed buildings and for other search and rescue operations. According to Chinese state-owned media, officials in neighboring Qinghai reported 20 people missing in a landslide.

The quake injured more than 500 people, severely damaged houses and roads, and knocked out power and communication lines, provincial officials and media reports said.

It struck just before midnight on Monday near the boundary between the two provinces at a relatively shallow depth of six miles, the China Earthquake Networks Center said.

The US Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 5.9.

(Courtesy of Mail Online UK/ai/mnm)

Photo courtesy of Rappler

LUBANG Municipality, Occidental Mindoro — On Tuesday (05 Dec 2023), a magnitude 5.9 earthquake rattled this town as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The seismic event occurred at 4:23 p.m., approximately seven kilometers southeast of Lubang, and was classified as tectonic in origin, with a depth of 79 kilometers.

While Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol reassured that no significant damage to infrastructure was anticipated, he cautioned the possibility of aftershocks in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Aftershocks were felt in other towns and cities in provinces of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senators, office staff, and employees of the Senate vacated the office building in haste Tuesday afternoon after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck in Occidental Mindoro.

The temblor was also felt in many parts of Metro Manila and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday.

The tectonic quake struck at 4:23 p.m. and had a depth of focus of 79 kilometers.

(ai/mnm)

MANILA –Pupils of Rafael Palma Elementary School actively participate in the 4th Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Thursday, November 9, 2023, in San Andres, Manila. The students diligently followed the DROP, COVER, and HOLD protocols under the guidance of their teachers.

Educators consistently play a crucial role in reinforcing the importance of the DROP, COVER, and HOLD actions during earthquake drills. These actions are outlined as follows:

A) Swiftly drop down to hands and knees to ensure protection from potential falls while maintaining the ability to move if necessary.

B) Take cover by shielding the head and neck (and the entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. In the absence of a nearby shelter, seek refuge near an interior wall or low-lying furniture, avoiding windows or glass that may shatter. Use arms and hands to cover the head and neck. Stay clear of objects that could pose a risk of falling.

C) Hold on to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking subsides. Be prepared to adjust your position if the shaking moves your shelter.

Active participation and practice by schoolchildren contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the correct response during an earthquake.

The images captured during the drill showcase the dedication of these students, earnestly participating under the watchful guidance of their teachers.

(Report & photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

After a 5.02 magnitude earthquake rattled the Philippines on Friday, October 13, 2023, students from Araullo High School, located along UN Ave., swiftly exited their classrooms and sought safety on open grounds. This event prompted residents from high-rise buildings and office workers to also evacuate to ensure their safety.

As of the time of this report, there have been no casualties or reports of significant damage. The 5.02 magnitude earthquake occurred at approximately 8:24 AM, originating from an epicenter in Calaca, Batangas, roughly 100 kilometers south of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Accompanying images depict students from Araullo High School taking precautionary measures by moving to open areas.

(Report & photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

ISLAMABAD – A devastating series of earthquakes struck northwestern Afghanistan on Saturday, resulting in over 1,000 casualties, according to officials.

Mullah Janan Saiq, spokesperson for the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority, expressed concerns that the death toll could continue to rise, given the extensive damage caused in northwestern Herat and Badghis provinces.

Saiq conveyed, “Three entire villages in Herat province have been completely decimated, leaving hundreds of individuals still trapped beneath the rubble,” during a phone interview with Anadolu.

While the exact number of casualties remains challenging to determine, local officials have currently reported a figure exceeding 1,000.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded significant seismic activity, with earthquakes registering magnitudes of 5.5, 5.9, and 6.2 in various Afghan provinces. The epicenter was identified as being 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city.

The Afghanistan office of the World Health Organization (WHO) has mobilized its teams to assist in hospitals, providing care to the injured and evaluating additional requirements. (Anadolu)