DFA: No Filipino casualties in New Zealand earthquake
MANILA, Philippines – No Filipinos were injured in the earthquake that rocked Christchurch, New Zealand today, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported.
Citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Wellington, the DFA said there are no Filipino casualties so far in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit New Zealand’s second largest city.
The earthquake had a focal depth of 5 kilometers and was 10 kilometers southwest of Christchurch.
“The Embassy and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Christchurch, Zedric Peter Wait, are closely monitoring the situation at Christchurch,” the DFA said.
Christchurch is home to an estimated 2,000 Filipinos.
News reports stated damage to buildings and a city bridge made impassable. Power is currently down and telephone connections remain sporadic.
A 7.1 earthquake struck the city last September causing widespread damage but only minor injuries.
New Zealand, located between the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, has an average of more than 14, 000 earthquakes a year, of which about 20 would normally top magnitude 5.0.
Read MOre:DFA: No Filipino casualties in New Zealand earthquake
Citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Wellington, the DFA said there are no Filipino casualties so far in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit New Zealand’s second largest city.
The earthquake had a focal depth of 5 kilometers and was 10 kilometers southwest of Christchurch.
“The Embassy and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Christchurch, Zedric Peter Wait, are closely monitoring the situation at Christchurch,” the DFA said.
Christchurch is home to an estimated 2,000 Filipinos.
News reports stated damage to buildings and a city bridge made impassable. Power is currently down and telephone connections remain sporadic.
A 7.1 earthquake struck the city last September causing widespread damage but only minor injuries.
New Zealand, located between the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, has an average of more than 14, 000 earthquakes a year, of which about 20 would normally top magnitude 5.0.
Read MOre:DFA: No Filipino casualties in New Zealand earthquake
