An 80-year-old American man residing in the Philippines found himself stranded on the 19th floor of his apartment building after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the region. The seismic event, which occurred on Tuesday, has resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage across the area.
The man’s daughter confirmed his situation through a social media post, stating he is currently safe and coordinating with assistants to arrange a safe descent from the building. She expressed gratitude for the public concern and noted that contingency plans are being developed to prevent a similar predicament in the future.
In her statement, she also addressed online skeptics questioning the circumstances, emphasizing the practical challenges of evacuating an elderly individual with mobility considerations from such a height without proper assistance.
Official reports indicate the earthquake has claimed at least 69 lives, causing destruction to roads, bridges, and buildings. While the senior citizen is confirmed to be unharmed, the broader toll of the disaster is severe.
The man relocated to the city of Cebu in the Philippines earlier this year alongside his son. In previous interviews, he cited a desire for a peaceful lifestyle change, affordable living costs, quality healthcare, and a culture of respect for the elderly as primary reasons for the move.
Regarding past family estrangements, which became public several years ago, the octogenarian has previously expressed a wish to leave behind conflict and spend his remaining years in tranquility. The recent natural disaster has temporarily disrupted that search for peace, though he is reported to be in stable condition while awaiting evacuation.
