Magnitude 6.5 earthquake hits Eastern Samar

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Eastern Samar at 1:37 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Its epicenter was recorded nine kilometers northwest of San Julian town. 

The earthquake which was tectonic in origin had a depth of 63 kilometers.

Intensity VI - San Julian, Eastern Samar;

Intensity V - Tacloban City; Catbalogan City, Samar; Gen. Mc Arthur, Salcedo and Guiuan Eastern Samar; Naval, Biliran; Catarman, Northern Samar; Palo and Pastrana, Leyte;

Intensity IV - Abuyog, Hilongos, Javier, Capoocan, Julieta, Baybay, Barogo, Jaro, MacArthur, Matalum, Villaba, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur; Iloilo City; Naga City; Sorsogon City; Panganiban, Catanduanes;

Intensity III - Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; Cabalian, Southern Leyte; Dimasalang, Masbate; Butuan City; Cabadbaran City;

Intensity II - Bago City; Bacolod City;

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity VI - Catbalogan, Samar;

Intensity IV - Masbate City, Masbate;

Intensity III - Legazpi City; Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Ormoc City; Argao City, Cebu; Bogo City, Cebu; Surigao City;

Intensity II - Passi City, Iloilo; Malinao, Aklan; Jamindan, Capiz; Roxas City; Talibon, Bohol; San Francisco, Cebu; Gingoog City; Mulanay, Quezon; Bago City, Negros Occidental; Daet, Camarines Norte

Intensity I - Tapaz, Capiz; Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Lapu-lapu City; La Carlota City;

Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone said cracks were seen in Borongan City Hall after the earthquake.

“Wala naman so far nag-collapse na building dito,” Evardone said in his interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Tuesday.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone: Malakas ang lindol, maraming cracks itong city hall building.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 23, 2019

Tacloban City Disaster Risk Reduction  Management Office head Ildebrando Bernadas said the only reported concern after the earthquake were shoppers who felt dizzy and got tripped while running to exit the mall.

“Malakas ang earthquake ditto, pero wala pang report so far na casualties o walang report ng critical damages maliban sa mga humingi ng tulong dahil nahilo,  natumba palabas sa mall,” Bernadas said in his interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Ildebrando Bernadas, Tacloban City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office: Malakas ang earthquake dito pero wala pang report so far na casualties o critical damages maliban sa mga humingi ng tulong dahil nahilo at natumba sa mall.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 23, 2019

Balangiga, Eastern Samar tourism officer Fe Campanero said that several cracks were seen in some roads in Balinga.

“May mga road kami dito na may bitak,” she said in her interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Taft mayor Marian June Libanan said that due to the strong earthquake all the employees leave their offices.

The town of Taft in Eastern Samar is near the coastal area. Due to this, residents were advised to move in higher places in case of tsunami event.

“So far ay hindi naman tumaas ang tubig, wala pa kaming report na nasaktan na mga tao,” Libanan said.

Libanan also said that they were holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new public market in Taft when suddenly the earth started to shake.

In Catbalogan City, a former Eastern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRMMO) head said his house had cracks in the flooring after the earthquake.

On Monday, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Luzon. Seven people were killed and 81 were injured, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. —Dona Magsino/KG/KBK/BAP, GMA News