No Filipinos affected by magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Indonesia — embassy

No Filipinos have been affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck off eastern Indonesia on Saturday, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta said.

“Thus far, there are no Filipinos affected by the earthquake, but the Embassy continues to reach out to other members of the Filipino community in the area and stands ready to extend assistance, as necessary,” it said in an advisory.

At least 38 people were killed and two others were seriously injured by the early morning earthquake, which also generated tsunami waves of less than 1 meter (3 feet).

Suharyanto, head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said residents remained trapped in several buildings in earthquake-hit areas, while landslides were reported to have blocked several roads.

In 1992, the same area was hit by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that caused extensive destruction, Indonesia’s geophysics agency BMKG said.

— with Reuters/VBL, GMA News