Magnitude 7.4 quake strikes off Davao Oriental; 2 reported dead

MANILA, October 11 ------ A powerful quake struck the waters off Davao Oriental on Friday morning and prompted a tsunami alert that was later lifted, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said. PHIVOLCS said the magnitude 7.4 quake hit some 44 kilometers northeast of Manay town. The government seismology office earlier put the magnitude at 7.6 but subsequently lowered the figure to 7.4.

The tremor struck a depth of 20 kilometers. Davao Oriental governor Nelson Dayanghirang told ANC's Dateline that 2 individuals have been confirmed dead in their province following the quake. "So far meron na po tayong recorded na dalawang casualty, and na-evacuate na natin yung mga pasyente sa ospital natin, provincial and district hospital," Dayanghirang said.

TSUNAMI WARNING

PHIVOLCS said one-meter tsunami waves on the country's Pacific coast were forecast between 9:43 a.m. and 11:43 a.m. Coastal residents in these areas were "strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland". The tsunami alert was lifted before 2 p.m.

AFTERSHOCKS

PHIVOLCS has recorded at least 179 aftershocks, 10 of which were felt. The strongest aftershock so far had a magnitude of 5.8. "Talagang nag-panic ang mga tao dito sa capitol at mga employees," Davao Del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib said. "At may mga crack na na-report sa atin at may mga gusali ding may damage na na-report," he told DZMM.

FEAR, DAMAGE

In Manay, Davao Oriental, people ran out of a gymnasium when the quake struck during the Kanduli Festival celebration. Two teachers fainted out of fear and were rushed to the hospital. Other teachers were seen carrying chairs over their heads as protection from possible debris. Office of Civil Defense-Region 11 director Ednar Dayanghirang said that based on partial reports he received, several structures were damaged in Manay town following the quake. “I received partial report sa Davao Oriental sa bayan ng Manay that there are buildings na na-damage… structures, mga simbahan daw nasira,” Dayanghirang told DZMM.

He added that his own house in Manay reportedly showed cracks after the quake. Dayanghirang explained that Manay is a coastal town in Davao Oriental, which has several commercial establishments. “Highly populated yang bayan… May mga buildings, simbahan, commercial establishments…. May 17 barangays may population na 40,000,” he said

In General Santos City, hanging lamps and electric posts were seen swaying due to the quake. Initial reports from Police Regional Offices in Caraga and Davao showed infrastructure and utility disruptions. “Para po sa road conditions nila sa Caraga, meron po isang daan doon, ito po ‘yung sa Magsaysay Bridge [sa Butuan City] na kung saan ito po ay impassable sa ngayon. At meron din po silang mga incident po ngayon na na-report about sa power interruptions,” Tuaño said.

In Region 11 (Davao Region), the Panabo City Police Station in Davao del Norte sustained damage after its water tank collapsed. The perimeter fence of the Talaingod Municipal Police Station also suffered damage. The quake also sent elementary students of Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay City out of their classrooms, wearing their hard hats. Classes were suspended in several areas due to the quake.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com