No Pinoy casualties in strong quake in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, say PH Embassies

The Philippine Embassy in Yangon and in Thailand reported that a strong earthquake struck Myanmar and that there are no Filipino casualties reported.

The Embassy in Yangon is closely monitoring developments and reported that there were currently no reports of damage or casualties from the approximately 811 registered Filipino nationals residing and working in Myanmar.

The Philippine Embassy in Thailand announced: "As of this time, there have been no reports of Filipinos harmed or affected by the earthquake."

"The Embassy advises Filipinos in Thailand to remain calm and vigilant, as well as monitor updates from credible and verifiable sources of information."

In Laos, the Philippine Embassy reported that there were no Pinoys affected by the quake as it reminded Filipino nationals to remain calm and vigilant. 

 A strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, and people rushed out of buildings in panic in Yangon and also in Bangkok, the capital of neighboring Thailand, witnesses said.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was of 7.7 magnitude and at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). It was followed by a powerful aftershock.

The epicenter was about 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest, which has a population of about 1.5 million.

Further updates on the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos in Myanmar and in Thailand will be made available as developments arise.

For now, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon announced that it can be reached for emergencies through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (+95 998 521 0991) or the official Philippine Embassy in Myanmar Facebook Messenger.

The Philippine Embassy in Thailand, meanwhile, can be reached through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (+66 81 989 7116) or through email bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

In Laos, the hotline is +850 20 5553 5878 or through the Facebook page www.facebook.com/PHinLaoPDR. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News