By Martin Sadongdong
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Surigao del Sur on Saturday morning which injured at least 28 persons and damaged several infrastructures and private establishments, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported.
The Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said the quake occurred at 4:42 a.m. with its epicenter recorded in Carrascal town.
READ MORE: Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Surigao del Sur
"Twenty-five recorded patients with minor injuries were treated at Madrid District Hospital and three patients referred to Adela Serra Ty for further check-up," said OCD Caraga Regional Director Liza Mazo in a report.
Four towns were mostly affected by the shake namely the Lanuza, Carmen, Madrid and Cantilan municipalities.
In Lanuza town, a newly constructed, privately-owned building collapsed while the walls of Agsam Catholic Church was damaged. A barangay gym was also found with cracks.
Meanwhile, the ceiling of a parish church in Carmen town also collapsed and there were damages in its roof. Several cracks were also found at the municipal hall and the public market. The water system and barangay hall at Barangay Cancavan sustained damages, as well.
An old public building also collapsed in Madrid town, damaging a parked fire truck and a police vehicle nearby while some private houses were found with minor damages.
In Cantilan town, a part of the Magosilom Casa Bridge was found with cracks, a restaurant collapsed and a private inn sustained structural damages.
"OCD-Caraga coordinates closely with SDS provincial disaster risk reduction management office. So far, situation is still manageable by PDRRMO," Mazo said.
A field validation was immediately conducted by authorities for further assessment of the damages incurred due to the quake in other parts of the province.