The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said no Filipinos have been reported injured or killed following the powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela.
In a statement, the DFA said it is closely monitoring developments through the Philippine Embassy in Bogota, which remains in contact with Filipino nationals in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and the city of Barinas.
“As of this writing, no reports of injuries or casualties were received from Filipino nationals in Venezuela,” the agency said.
The DFA added that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Filipinos in Venezuela have been advised to stay in safe locations and closely follow advisories and updates from local authorities.
The earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with a magnitude 7.2 tremor recorded about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. Less than a minute later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS initially warned that the earthquakes could result in widespread damage and significant casualties, estimating a potential death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.
In response to the disaster, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency as authorities assess the extent of the damage and continue rescue and response operations.
