Photo courtesy: Royal Family
Britain’s King Charles III has sent a message of sympathy to the people of the Philippines following a series of deadly typhoons, floods, and earthquakes in recent weeks.
In a statement released Tuesday by the British Embassy in Manila, the king said he and his wife had been “deeply concerned by the news of the typhoons and floods that have affected the Philippines in recent weeks” and were “profoundly saddened to hear of further loss of life.”
“I am well aware that the suffering has been compounded by the devastating effects of two earthquakes in October,” the monarch said. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by these catastrophic natural disasters.”
The Philippines has been pounded by a series of calamities, killing hundreds and leaving widespread destruction across central and northern provinces. At least 18 people were reported dead after Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, lashed the country’s northeastern coast– just days after an earlier storm, Kalmaegi, killed at least 232 people.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, Fung-Wong has affected and displaced some 635,000 families, or about 2.4 million people.
Several parts of the country have also been jolted by strong earthquakes. On Sept. 30 magnitude, a magnitude 6.9 temblor struck Cebu, killing 79 people and damaging more than 134,00 homes. In October, Davao Oriental was hit by a doublet earthquake with magnitudes 7.4 and 6.8 recorded on the same day.
Charles also extended his “deepest and most heartfelt sympathy” to the families and all those who have lost loved ones, while paying tribute to the country’s emergency workers who “have suffered their own tragic losses as they have assisted in the rescue efforts.”
“Our thoughts and continued prayers are with all who are enduring such appalling suffering at this time.” he added.
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