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Manila Bulletin devider devider Looking back: Ruby Tower disaster, Casiguran quake

Looking back: Ruby Tower disaster, Casiguran quake

Published Aug 2, 2018 03:52 pm
By Ellalyn de Vera Ruiz The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) led activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that resulted in the collapse of the Ruby Tower in Binondo, Manila 50 years ago on Thursday. FREE exhibit viewing at the Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), 2 August 2018 (PHIVOLCS/ FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN) FREE exhibit viewing at the Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), 2 August 2018 (PHIVOLCS/ FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN) The August 2, 1968 Casiguran earthquake is said to be one of the most destructive earthquakes in the Philippines. Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato Solidum encouraged the public to look back and remember not only the tragedy, but also the lessons learned from the disaster by keeping being well-prepared and aware of safety measures during disasters and calamities. The Ruby Tower, a six-storey building in Binondo, Manila, collapsed instantly during the earth quake, killing 268 people. Several other buildings such as Aloha Theater, Philippine Bar Association Building, National Library, and Liwayway Hotel in Manila sustained varying levels of structural damages. The killer earthquake struck the town of Casiguran in Aurora at 4:19 a.m, causing large fissures with lengths measuring from 10 to 20 meters. The earthquake was recorded at Intensity 7 as a strong shock in Manila, despite its distance from the epicenter.
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