No Filipinos hurt in Taiwan quake – Manila Economic Cultural Office

MANILA, Philippines: The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan said all Filipinos were safe after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the island Wednesday morning.

MECO Chairman and Resident Representative Silvestre Bello 3rd, in a statement, said that based on their monitoring in Taipei and reports coming from MECO's field offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung, and as well as those coming from Filipino communities, there were no Filipino casualties.

«Our kababayans and OFWs are all accounted for and safe,» added Bello. «We are thankful that we have not received reports of any of our kababayans being hurt or badly affected by the powerful earthquake that hit Taiwan this morning.»

At the very least, Bello further said, Filipinos were very scared because of the intensity of the quake which caused buildings to sway and the ground to shake.

The MECO chief called on every Filipino to pray for everyone's safety in Taiwan.

The 7.5 magnitude quake was the strongest to hit the island in 25 years.Initial reports said that several buildings collapsed in Hualien, the city closest to the epicenter.

The National Fire Agency of Taiwan reported that three people died at the Taroko National Park.

It was also reported that the quake left at least 50 people injured while several others were trapped inside buildings and tunnels around Taipei.