Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday confirmed all Filipinos who have been accounted for in Chile are safe after an 8.8-magnitude devastating earthquake hit Chile, that claimed at least 214 lives.

“No Filipino was hurt in the massive post-dawn quake, except for a husband of a Philippine Embassy personnel who sustained an ankle injury after a piece of wood feel on him while he’s inside his bedroom,” DFA spokesman Ed Malaya said.

The Filipino community in Chile is composed of  Catholic clerics, engineers, businessmen and spouses of Chilean nationals, and no overseas workers. The embassy consists of seven officers and staff members, headed by the ambassador.

“His (Reyes) residence sustained some damage, but otherwise, no one was hurt among his household members,” said Malaya.

Malaya also stated contingency measures are already been put in place like telephone brigade and evacuation points. The Philippine government  will conduct a phone brigade to get in touch with Filipinos in Chile.

“The 8.8-magnitude earthquake, which struck central Chile around 3:34 a.m. or about past 2 p.m. Saturday in Manila, lasted for about 15 seconds, causing much damage in houses and apartments and toppling household fixtures in the South American nation, ” Ambassador Reyes said.

- Jenny Villareal