Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Davao del Sur

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on Sunday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The earthquake occurred at 12:22 p.m.

The epicenter was located at 06.74°N, 125.11°E - 005 km S 79°W of Magsaysay.

The tectonic quake had a depth of focus of 15 km.

The quake was first reported to be at magnitude 6.3, but PHIVOLCS updated this past 1 p.m., making it magnitude 6.1.

PHIVOLCS said Intensity V was felt in Kidapawan City, Arakan, Carmen, Kabacan, Makilala and M'Lang, North Cotabato; City of Koronadal and Banga, South Cotabato; Matalam, Cotabato; Bansalan, Hagonoy, Magsaysay and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Intensity IV meanwhile was felt in Davao City; Banisilan and Midsayap, North Cotabato; Don Carlos, Bukidnon; Polomok, Sto. Nino and Norala, South Cotabato South Cotabato; Alabel, Kiamba and Malapatan, Saranggani; Palimbang and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

Intensity III was experienced in Cotabato City; Cagayan De Oro City; Kadingilan and Kitaotao, Bukidnon; Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Maco and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

Intensity II was felt in Cagayan de Oro City; and Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, Intensity I was felt in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

Damage and aftershocks are to be expected, it added.

Three aftershocks were recorded by PHIVOLCS just minutes after the major quake: the first was magnitude 3.5 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a magnitude 2.5 at 12:34 p.m., then magnitude 2.1 at 12:41 p.m. All these had epicenters in Magsaysay.

Earlier in the day, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck Magsaysay.

The epicenter of the quake which occurred at 7:28 a.m. was located at 6 km northwest of Magsaysay.

Evacuations

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake prompted evacuations in hospitals in Kidapawan City.

Around 100 families living near Mt. Apo will also be preemptively evacuated, the city disaster risk reduction and management office said.

Meanwhile, in the town of Magsaysay, the municipal government’s public information office chief Anthony Allada said Sunday's earthquake is different from what they experienced in previous years.

“Hindi kagaya ng ibang experience namin sa ibang lindol na parang dinuduyan ka. ‘Yung nangyari kasi kanina parang iniuuntog ka,” he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

General Santos City DRRMO’s Bong Dacera said their office is also considering the implementation of evacuation due the threat of aftershocks. —KG, GMA News