Manila: Two Filipinos were killed in Turkey following the Monday earthquake that left thousands dead in both Turkey and Syria, according to the government.

The Philippine News Agency (PNA) cited the Philippine embassy in Ankara report as saying that the two fatalities were among the three Filipinos who went missing following the devastating quake.

The other Filipino who was reported missing has been found alive, the embassy said.

At least 248 Filipinos in Turkey were affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

Monday's magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria left more than 21,000 dead and left hundreds of thousands homeless, according to reports.

On Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated in a Twitter post: ”It is with deep regret that we learn of the passing of two Filipinos in the recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated Türkiye.”

Relief team

On Tuesday, Marcos said the Philippines would deploy an 85-man team to assist the quake victims in Turkey and Syria.

The contingent, composed of Philippine military personnel, engineers, and health workers, already arrived and started Friday their mission to conduct search, rescue, relief and other assistance to the quake-hit areas.