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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Caraga folk seek safety as 7.4-quake strikes; 2 minors hurt

Caraga folk seek safety as 7.4-quake strikes; 2 minors hurt

Published Dec 3, 2023 01:32 am

BUTUAN CITY – People fled to the streets and higher grounds after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake rocked the Caraga region on Saturday night, December 2.

CARAGA QUAKE.jpg

PEOPLE gather outside a building after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the Caraga region on Saturday night, December 2. (PIA-Caraga)

Two minors were injured by the earthquake in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) said.

The strongest tremor to hit the country this year temporarily knocked out power in some areas in the region but Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cagara Director Engr. Pol M. delos Santos said they have yet to receive reports on damage to infrastructure, particularly bridges and national highways.

“So far, by this time, all roads and bridges are passable but I already directed all district engineers, project engineers spread in the different parts of the region to immediately go on the ground to check and double check all infrastructures in their respective areas of jurisdictions,” said Delos Santos.

All DRRMCs have been mobilized to check residents in the region.

In this city, the region’s capital, residents, hotel guests, including tourists, streamed out into the streets in panic as the quake struck at around 10:37 p.m.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology located the epicenter of the tremor at 41 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur, with a shallow depth of only nine kilometers.

More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded as of 3 a.m. Sunday.

Patients from government and private hospitals here were safe.

However, the MJ Santos Hospital temporarily evacuated their patients outside for safety as its laboratory went up in smoke during the quake. Patients and employees and workers in this hospital were safe.

Some parts and valuables in malls in this city were destroyed.

A resident said this was the first time that he experienced an earthquake this strong.

“For the first time, I experience this kind of so strong earthquake,” said Ronel Maunes, a group leader of an organization here, as he appealed to residents to relax and take extra-precautionary measures for aftershocks.

Gov. Alexander Pimentel ordered Surigao del Sur DRRMCs, particularly in Hinatuan, to check the status of residents, particularly those in seaside areas, and all buildings, particularly schools and hospitals.

“We are still checking and waiting of their (DRRMCs) reports up to this time,” the provincial chief executive said.

Related Tags

7.4-magnitude earthquake Phivolcs Surigao del Sur Butuan City
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