Magnitude-5.9 quake shakes Caraga region, dozens injured in mall stampede

(Updated 1:00 a.m.) At least 35 people were injured in a stampede at the Gaisano Mall in Surigao City as shoppers and workers rushed to exit the newly-opened building while a magnitude 5.9 quake shook northeastern Mindanao region of Caraga and parts of Eastern Visayas Friday afternoon.   The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was felt at Intensity VI in Surigao City. It estimated the epicenter at 2 kilometers southwest of Dinagat between Eastern Visayas and northeast Mindanao. A Philippine Information Agency report on a provincial disaster response assessment said at least four houses in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands totally collapsed while 20 other houses in the town  were partially damaged. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the 35 injured were brought to local hospitals for treatment. Three of the injured were admitted for closer medical attention.   The quake was also felt at these intensities in various areas:

• Intensity V (Strong): General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Basilisa, Dinagat; San Ricardo, Southern Leyte
• Intensity IV (Moderately Strong): Carrascal, Surigao del Sur
• Intensity III (Weak): Tolosa and Tacloban Leyte; Davao City; Bislig City; Borongan, Oras, Dolores, Eastern Samar
• Intensity II (Slightly Felt): Cebu City; Sulat, Eastern Samar
• Intensity I (Scarcely Perceptible): Hibok-Hibok, Camiguin

  In a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" stringer Nathaniel Corbeta said there were many people in the mall during the quake.   "Nakausap natin si Barangay Captain Frida Coron ng Barangay Luna kung saan located ang Gaisano Mall, sabi niya more or less 6,000 people were in that mall kasi ngayon ang grand opening,” Corbeta said.   Corbeta said most of the injured suffered from minor concussions after being stepped on as people rushed out.   “Nakausap natin yung in charge kanina ng Gaisano Mall, sabi niya ‘yung mga injured na residente na pumunta mismo ng mall kanina, naapakan ng konti dahil nagpa-panic ang tao sa panahon ng pagyanig,” he said. Matugas told GMA News Online tonight that he ordered the city engineers to immediately survey and assess other commercial, government and private establishments in the city that were possibly affected by the quake.   “Minor concussions lang [ang injuries ng karamihan], sabi ng nakausap natin, maliban dun sa isang na-confine…traumatized talaga siya,” Corbeta reported.   He added that the authorities responded to the incident quickly: “Si City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, rumesponde agad, pumunta mismo sa site ng Gaisano, tsaka ‘yung kapulisan. Controlled naman ng PNP ang buong paligid ng Gaisano, ngayon under control naman ng authoridad.”   Despite minor damage to the mall’s structures, the opening continued after the incident, and even ended with a fireworks display.   Corbeta said that they continue to experience small aftershocks, as expected after a strong quake.   Phivolcs: Don’t run, just stay put and stay safe   Dir. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on “24 Oras” that the injuries could have been avoided had the people responded properly to the incident.   “Hindi po dapat magtakbuhan. Saka lumabas pagkatapos ng pagyanig. ‘Yung mga ganyang pangyayari na biglang lumalabas lang, imbis na walang nasasaktan, may nasasaktan pa,” he said.   Solidum stressed that in the case of intensity-6 earthquakes, it is better to stay put, find a place to stay in places away from breakable glass and elevator shafts, and leave only after the tremors have stopped.   “Umupo o mag-squat at tabunan ang kanilang ulo ng kamay,” he added.   He also said that the earthquake that occurred in Surigao was a tectonic earthquake, caused by the movement of faults. Such earthquakes, he said, were not damaging.   “Hindi naman po talaga damaging ‘yan kaya ang nangyari pong intensity ang pinaka-mataas ay intensity 6 sa Surigao City, dun po tayo mag-expect ng minor damage, at siguro magugulantang ang mga tao,” he said.   Solidum said earthquakes can happen anytime around the country, so people have to be prepared.   “Dapat po maging paalala sa ating mga kababayan na ang buong Pilipinas maliban sa Palawan Island ay nakakaramdam paminsan-minsan ng malakas na pagyanig so dapat po anytime ay handa tayo na magresponde ng tama sakaling may lindol,” the Phivolcs chief said. — Amanda Lago/ELR, GMA News