Magnitude 6 quake strikes Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY—A magnitude 6 earthquake that struck off San Julian, Eastern Samar, on Monday afternoon left damage in several areas across Eastern Visayas and injured at least one child, according to initial reports from local authorities.
In Dolores town, the Municipal Information Office said the quake caused visible damage in several areas, including cracked concrete and debris at the fish port.
Residents and employees at the Dolores municipal hall rushed outside as strong shaking triggered panic.
In Dolores’ Barangay Hilabaan, a child was injured after being hit by a falling religious statue and was immediately brought to the town proper for treatment.
Several houses and infrastructure were also reported damaged in San Julian, while the centuries-old Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church sustained visible cracks, according to Barangay 2, Poblacion Councilor Hilarion Gracias Nacario
“Power was also cut for about 10 minutes following the tremor,” Nacario told the Inquirer.
He added that Monday’s tremor is the strongest to hit the town—home to over 14,000 residents across 16 barangays—since the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in April 2019.
The San Julian Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted rapid assessments near the epicenter, while authorities in the nearby town of Maydolong temporarily suspended water supply after a drop in pressure caused by the quake.
Rapid assessments
In Oras town, a crucifix at the altar of the San Pedro Calungsod Quasi-Parish in Barangay San Eduardo was damaged during the strong shaking.
Some students at Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City reportedly fainted during the tremor, while patients and companions in several health facilities in the city were briefly moved outdoors as a safety precaution.
A house made of light materials in Barangay Cantongtong, Jiabong town, Samar, was also damaged.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes across the province to ensure safety and allow damage assessments.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the tremor, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 2:09 p.m.
Phivolcs initially reported the tremor at magnitude 6.1 but later downgraded it to 6.
The quake’s epicenter was located 18 kilometers northeast of San Julian, Eastern Samar, with a depth of 57 km.
Downgraded
Instrumental intensities were recorded across several areas following the quake.
Intensity V was felt in Can-avid, Eastern Samar; Dulag and Alangalang, Leyte; and Gandara, Samar. Intensity IV was reported in Abuyog, Palo, and Carigara, Leyte.
Meanwhile, Intensity III was recorded in Naval, Biliran; Hernani, Eastern Samar; Ormoc City, Hilongos, Albuera, Baybay, Villaba, and Isabel in Leyte; and Sorsogon City and Bulusan in Sorsogon; Malitbog, San Francisco, Hinundayan, and Sogod in Southern Leyte.
Intensity II was felt in Kawayan, Biliran; San Francisco, Cebu; Monreal and Esperanza in Masbate; and Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon.
Intensity I was reported in Tabaco, Albay; Carcar, Liloan, and Cebu City in Cebu; Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Passi City, Iloilo; Aroroy and Cataingan in Masbate; Donsol, Sorsogon; and Maasin, Southern Leyte.
As of 5 p.m. on Monday, authorities have yet to release a consolidated report on the extent of damage and possible casualties, as monitoring and assessment operations continue across affected areas. —WITH A REPORT FROM MARY JOY SALCEDO AND JOEY MARZAN
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