Taiwan extends condolences, offers aid after deadly Philippines quake

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday extended condolences to the Philippine government and offered to provide assistance following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, killing at least 27 people.

MOFA said it had not received any reports of Taiwanese nationals being injured, killed or trapped after the quake hit off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu province, located in the central Visayas region.

In a press statement, MOFA said it is closely monitoring post-disaster rescue and relief efforts, and has informed Manila that Taiwan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance if needed.

The ministry also urged Taiwanese nationals in the Philippines to contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila in case of emergencies by calling its round-the-clock emergency hotline at +63 917-819-4597/0917-819-4597.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Tourism Administration said no Taiwanese tour groups have reported being affected by the quake in Cebu, a popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian country.

The earthquake struck just before 10 p.m. Tuesday and left at least 27 people dead, more than 140 injured, and hundreds of buildings collapsed, according to the Philippines' disaster management authorities cited by Reuters.