No Pinoys affected by Afghanistan earthquake - DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it has not yet received any reports of Filipinos affected by the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31.

There are seven Filipino nationals in Afghanistan, all of whom are based in or around the capital, Kabul, and none are located in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, or Laghman, the most severely affected areas. 

Pakistan-based Philippine diplomats have established contact with the Kabul-based Filipinos, as Manila does not have an embassy in Afghanistan.

"As of this time, there are no reports of Filipino casualties or injuries. No Filipino nationals are known to be in evacuation centers, and no evacuation orders have been issued," the DFA said in a statement. 

Access to quake-hit areas is currently complicated by road blockages due to landslides and difficult terrain, which are impacting the speed of humanitarian assistance, it said, citing a report from its embassy in Islamabad, which has jurisdiction over Afghanistan.

The epicenter was located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad.

Philippine diplomats in Pakistan will continue to monitor the situation closely by coordinating with Afghan authorities and issue a follow-up advisory should developments require, the DFA said.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News