Leyte quake kills 2 in Ormoc City

Two persons died in Ormoc City during the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that hit Leyte province early Wednesday.

Ormoc City police's deputy director for operations Superintendent Elma delos Santos identified the victims as Maria Contreras Colasito, 51, resident of Barangay Naungan and Rosita Baloro, 70, a resident of Barangay San Jose.

Delos Santos said Colasito slipped and fell to the ground as she was running out of her home while the city was being jolted by the quake.

He said the victim's head hit the ground and fell unconscious. She was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Baloro also lost consciousness following the quake and was also declared dead at the hospital. It was not yet clear if she suffered a heart attack.

The earthquake struck at 6:26 a.m. with its epicenter traced in Albuera town in Leyte.

It was felt strongest in Ormoc City at Intensity 5.

Myrna Mangle, chairwoman of Barangay Alta Vista in Ormoc City, said a total of 56 hourses were damaged by the quake.

Mangle added that they have also recorded several injuries. —ALG, GMA News