DFA: No Filipino casualties in powerful Italy quake

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday reported that there were no Filipino casualties in the powerful 6.6-intensity earthquake that jolted Norcia, Italy on Sunday.

In a statement, the DFA also assured the public that the Philippine Embassy is making sure all Filipinos in Italy are safe after the tremor, reported to be the most powerful in 16 years.

According to DFA statistics, Italy has the largest population of overseas Filipinos in Western Europe. There are around 155,945 registered or documented Filipinos with valid permits to stay and work in Italy based on Italian Ministry of Interior records.

On Sunday, Philippine time, a magnitude-6.6 quake hit the mountainous area in central Italy that straddles Marche and Umbria. Another earthquake was recorded in the same area on August 24 and left nearly 300 people dead.

Almost 8,000 people have asked for assistance from Italy's Civil Protection agency and are being housed in hotels and shelters after the two quakes.