Rescue ops ongoing after hotel nearly collapsed from quake in Kidapawan City

Rescue operation is now ongoing after a hotel in Kidapawan City nearly collapsed following a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck Tulunan, North Cotabato on Thursday morning.

According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Timbal, authorities are still determining if Eva's Hotel was fully occupied when the incident happened. He said concerned agencies are still determining if there were people trapped inside the establishment.

Policemen secure the perimeter around the Eva's Hotel in Kidapawan City, Cotabato on Thursday, October 31, 2019 after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocked the city, destroying the facade of the hotel. It is the second earthquake to hit the southern island of Mindanao in just two days. Williamor Magbanua

Asked about the number of casualties, Timbal said: "Wala pa, ongoing pa 'yung operation, there are rescue personnel on the ground..."

LOOK: Eva's Hotel sa Kidapawan City, Cotabato matapos ang malakas na lindol. pic.twitter.com/FwRkjO4aOH

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 31, 2019

According to Timbal, the said hotel was already damaged by previous tremors. It was on October 29 when a magnitude 6.6 earthquake also hit the said town, which left eight people dead and more than 300 others injured. 

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PHIVOLCS science research specialist Erlinto Olavere said the earthquake that happened this morning was tectonic in origin.

The earthquake was located at 33 kilometers  north of Tulunan with a depth of two kilometers. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News