Strong 6.0 Quake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines

Strong 6.0 Quake Hits Philippines

FERDINAND ZUASOLA

The ground shook with ferocity as a magnitude 6 earthquake struck in Mindanao on Wednesday night, February 1, leaving a trail of damage and sending people to panic in its wake especially in the Davao Region.

In response, the provincial governments of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte called off classes in schools and office work in local governments on Thursday, February 2. Residents in the coastal towns of Maco and Mabini in Davao de Oro fled their villages for fear of a tsunami after the earthquake, but officials have since assured the public that there was no tsunami advisory and that the origin of the quake was on land, not at sea. 

The suspension of classes and work in the two Davao provinces  would allow inspection teams to determine if the earthquake caused any damage to school facilities and government buildings.

Officials in the adjacent eastern seaboard province of Davao Oriental said they were assessing the extent of the damage the earthquake caused, said Governor Corazon Malanyaon.

In hard-hit Davao de Oro, the earthquake was felt at Intensity IV to Intensity V, especially in New Bataan, a first-class municipality with a population of over 51,000.

Its effects were strong enough to send people to outdoors.

Students and teachers fled classrooms and medical workers brought patients to open spaces, outside of a hospital.

The earthquake caused damage to homes and establishments. Photos and videos of objects shaking and fallen merchandise went viral on social media.

In a statement, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Maco town in Davao de Oro said the seawater receded, but eventually went back to its normal level.