DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 December) — One person was killed while four others were injured in the Davao region after a magnitude 7.4 quake with epicenter in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur rocked parts of Mindanao at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday.
Karlo Alexie C. Puerto, information officer II of the Office of the Civil Defense-Davao, said in a report on Sunday that a 30-year old female resident of Purok 3A in Barangay La Filipina in Tagum City was killed when she got hit by a firewall that collapsed. The four injured are from Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
He said two individuals passed out in Hagonoy town, Davao del Sur.
Several families in Davao Oriental left their homes following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit parts of Mindanao on Saturday. (Photos courtesy of Davao Oriental province)
At least 1,820residents in Barangay Central, 39 in Barangay Matiao, 135 in Barangay Dahican, and 300 in Barangay Sainz in Mati City, Davao Oriental were pre-emptively evacuated due to the “Tsunami warning” issued by the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) following the powerful quake.
All families returned to their respective houses as of 5 a.m. on Sunday, Puerto said.
The recent earthquake occurred two weeks after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake with epicenter in Sarangani, Davao Occidental jolted some parts of Mindanao last November 17.
As of 12 noon on Sunday, Phivolcs reported a total of 765 aftershocks with magnitude range of 1.4 to 6.2.
Authorities reported varying intensities during the December 2 earthquake. Intensity VI was felt in Maco, and Monkayo, Davao de Oro; Intensity V in Nabunturan in Davao de Oro, Tagum City in Davao Del Norte, and Davao City; Intensity IV in Digos City and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur; Intensity III in Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur, and Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; and Intensity II in Matanao, Davao del Sur.
The following instrumental intensities were also reported: Intensity V in Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; Intensity IV in Digos City and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur, and Davao City; Intensity III in Matanao, Davao del Sur, and Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental.
Puerto said some structures sustained minor damages, including a 7/11 store in Mawab, a convenience store in Nabunturan, a provincial bridge in New Corella, and Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte.
He said authorities reported one totally damaged house, one partially damaged house, and one partially damaged Regional Evacuation Center in Boston, Davao Oriental.
In Davao City, Puerto said the Bolton Bridge was partially damaged, although the other lane remains passable to light vehicles.
He said all other national roads and bridges are all passable and there have been no reported damages.
He said the province of Davao del Norte has declared suspension of classes and work for both public and private effective Monday until further notice to monitor the safety of the buildings.
He added that parts of Davao City, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental experienced power outages shortly after the quake but power lines were immediately restored. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
