DMW monitors Filipinos in Taiwan after strong quakes strike anew

DMW Building. (File Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is closely monitoring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan after consecutive strong earthquakes rocked the island on Friday.

“Migrant Workers Offices in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung are coordinating with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), local authorities, and Filipino communities and leaders in the affected areas to ascertain the status and safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” the agency in an advisory said.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported on its website that six earthquakes hit the island’s eastern Hualien County since Friday morning.

The first three tremors with magnitudes of 5.1, 5.0 and 4.1, struck at 9:35 a.m, 9:37 a.m. and 9:40 a.m., respectively.

At 3:45 p.m., another strong quake was felt at magnitude 5.8, followed by a magnitude 4.7 at 3:46 p.m., and magnitude 4.5 at 3:49 p.m.

The DMW said Taiwanese authorities reported no immediate incidents of injuries, casualties, or damage so far.

Earthquakes have been a recurring incident in Taiwan over the past two months.