Thomas Markle speaks out after Meghan's sister claimed he was 'trapped' following Philippines earthquake
Thomas insisted he's "quite comfortable"Thomas Markle has spoken out after Meghan Markle‘s estranged half-sister claimed he was “stuck on the 19th floor of a building” in the Philippines after an earthquake.
Samantha Markle had shared her concern for her and Meghan’s father with a post on social media this week. She later issued an update, sharing that Thomas was doing okay.
Now, Thomas has issued a statement himself as he insisted he wasn’t “trapped” and “unable to walk” as Samantha had claimed.
Samantha Markle claimed dad Thomas was ‘trapped’ amid Philippines earthquake’
The central Philippines was hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30. The quake struck off the coast of Cebu, at around 22:00 local time. At least 69 people are believed to have died as a result and a “state of calamity” has been declared.
According to Samantha, Meghan Markle’s father, who lives in the Philippines, had been amongst those affected by the earthquake.
My father is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake.
“My father is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake,” Samantha wrote on her verified X account on Tuesday, adding: “He can’t walk and he is trapped.”
Meghan and her father have allegedly not been in contact for several years. They are believed to have become estranged in the lead-up to Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Thomas Markle, 81, reportedly moved from his Mexico home to Cebu island in the Philippines earlier this year.
He is apparently looked after there by Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr.
‘He is still stuck’
Samantha continued to update her followers on her father’s situation.
Later, she shared a further post on X saying: “They just got power on and he is still stuck on the 19th floor, he does not walk.”
“A good family friend is there thankfully,” she continued, adding: “But they still need to get out of the building because there are stress cracks and there will be aftershocks.”
She later shared another update on Wednesday (October 1). Samantha wrote: “I wish to extend our deep gratitude to everyone expressing concern about my father. Thank you. As of today he is OK, and making plans to get out out of that building.
“They seem to be safe for now, and hopefully there will be no serious aftershocks. Provisions are being made so that he won’t be trapped in a similar situation again. God bless and stay safe everyone!”
Thomas Markle speaks out
However, speaking to TMZ, Thomas said he wasn’t “trapped” and “unable to walk”. He added that his hotel wasn’t impacted by the quake, saying: “The epicenter was 100 miles from here.”
He also said he hasn’t spoken to Samantha. Thomas added: “I’m currently sitting on the couch in my hotel room, with my feet kicked up and watching Charlie Chan movies. I’m quite comfortable.”
Read more: King Charles shares same deep concerns as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over social media
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