Thomas Markle has been left “stuck on the 19th floor of a building” in the Philippines after an earthquake, Meghan Markle‘s estranged half-sister has said.

Samantha Markle shared her concern for her and Meghan’s father with a post on social media.

She has since issued an update, sharing that Thomas is doing okay.
Samantha Markle expressed concern for her and Meghan’s father, Thomas, amid the Philippines earthquake (Credit: ITV)

Thomas Markle ‘caught up in 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 reportedly lives in the Philippines, has 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 Markle’s father reportedly moved to the Philippines earlier this year (Credit: ITV)
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, 80, 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 has 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.”

They still need to get out of the building

“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!”
Meghan Markle is estranged from her father and half-sister (Credit: Cover Images)
Samantha, 60, is also estranged from Meghan, 44. This is far from the first time she has been publicly critical of her.

In 2022, she even embarked on a legal battle, suing her half-sister for allegedly defaming her in interviews, such as in her famous tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The case was dismissed with prejudice two years later, but was recently appealed by Samantha.