Magnitude 7.1 earthquake jolts Davao Occidental

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Davao Occidental on Thursday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in a bulletin.

The tectonic earthquake occurred at 8:23 p.m. and had a depth of focus of 111 kilometers.

The epicenter was at 05.02°N, 127.66°E - 244 km S 66° E of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental.

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum said there is no threat of a tsunami.

“Malalim po ‘yong lindol. Wala pong tsunami na mangyayari” Solidum said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Intensity V was felt in General Santos City, while Intensity IV was felt in Davao City.

Intensity II was felt in Bisig City and Surigao del Sur.

Instrumental Intensities were also felt in the following areas:

Intensity V - Kiamba, Sarangani

Intensity IV - City of General Santos; Alabel, Sarangani; Koronadal City, South Cotabato

Intensity III - City of Kidapawan City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental

Intensity II - City of Cagayan de Oro; City of Surigao, Surigao del Norte; City of Borongan, Eastern Samar

Intensity I - City of Catbalogan, Samar

Aftershocks are expected but PHIVOLCS said there may be no damages

“Major earthquake ito pero malalim kaya hindi naman ito magiging damaging talaga sa ating mga infrastructure dahil malayo-layo na rin,” Solidum said.—LDF, GMA News