Filipino mom, three kids missing in Turkey quake found dead

A Filipino woman and her three children who have been missing since the massive earthquake that hit Turkey on February 6 have been found dead, the Philippine Embassy in Turkey said Sunday.

"It is with deepest regret that the Embassy must confirm the passing of a Filipina housewife and her three children, previously reported to be missing under the rubble in Antakya. She and her children have been laid to rest by her Turkish husband, in accordance with Turkish tradition," the embassy said in a statement.

"The Embassy and the entire Department of Foreign Affairs express their deepest condolences for this tragedy."

The embassy also said that it is currently hosting more than 20 families in its shelter, consisting of 70 individuals including overseas Filipinos, children, Turkish spouses, and senior citizens. 

It also said that it is "accelerating its actions" to repatriate Filipinos who wish to return to the Philippines, and assisted most of the more than 70 Filipinos who have decided to remain in Turkey.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6 has killed more than 46,000 people in Turkey and Syria to date. — BM, GMA Integrated News