Quakes hit Leyte, Zamboanga
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit Southern Leyte on Thursday morning followed by a magnitude 5.4 quake in Zamboanga del Norte, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
Phivolcs said the quake in Southern Leyte was recorded 6 kilometers off the municipality of San Francisco in Panaon Island with a depth of 11 km.
San Francisco police chief Barnie Catig said it was brief but strong, adding that “some of the picture frames on our shelves fell off.”
According to him, no one was injured but at least 18 houses and government buildings had minor damage. At least one highway had fissures from the tremor but remained passable. “We’re still conducting a full assessment,” Catig said in a phone interview.
Aftershocks
As of 9 p.m., a total of 90 aftershocks were recorded following the quake which was felt at Intensity 6, which, based on Phivolcs’ earthquake intensity scale, entails “very strong” shaking.
The municipalities of Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Limasawa, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Juan and San Ricardo; as well as Ubay, Bohol, experienced Intensity 5, or a “strong” shaking.
In the towns of President Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol; Bontoc, Macrohon, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, Silago, Sogod, Tomas Oppus, and Maasin City in Southern Leyte; Abuyog, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Matalom, and Baybay City in Leyte; Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose, and Tubajon in Dinagat Islands; and Mainit, Surigao del Norte, it was Intensity 4, or a “moderately strong” shaking.
The Phivolcs, meanwhile, recorded Intensity 3 in Cebu City; Ormoc City; Tacloban City; towns of Balangiga and Lawaan in Eastern Samar; Alangalang, Albuera, Barugo, Burauen, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Javier,Julita, Kananga, La Paz, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Pastrana, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Tunga in Leyte; Basey, Pinabacdao, Santa Rita, Talalora, and Villareal in Samar; and Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. —WITH A REPORT FROM REUTERS
