One dead, one injured in wake of quake

At least one person was killed while another was hurt in the wake of a magnitude-7.7 quake that struck off Eastern Visayas Friday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday.

 

In its 2 a.m. report, the NDRRMC identified the fatality as Elenita Ubalde, 44; while her grandson Adrian Rosales, 5, was hurt after a landslide hit their house in Cagayan de Oro City.

 

The NDRRMC said Cagayan de Oro City was affected by the quake, with residents feeling it at Intensity II.

 

While Ubalde and Rosales were rushed to the Capitol University Hospital after the landslide hit their house in Dacudao Compound in Upper Kolambong in Lapasan village.

 

At least five houses were damaged in a flash flood in Tablon village in Cagayan de Oro City. The families were evacuated.

 

In Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur, a house caught fire after a gas lamp fell at the height of the quake, but no casualties were initially reported.

 

In Eastern Samar, two bridges were damaged - Buyayawan Bridge in Mercedes town, and Barangay Casuroy bridge in San Julian town.

 

In Davao City, the Abreeza Mall had minor cracks on the floor.

 

Alert, evacuation

 

Civil disaster management agencies in Bicol and Eastern Visayas were placed on alert, with Eastern Visayas officials advising residents in affected areas to evacuate to higher grounds.

 

They have coordinated with the Air Force and Navy in Region 8 to help local governments on evacuation efforts.

 

In Caraga, residents were also advised to evacuate to higher grounds.

 

Forced evacuation

 

The NDRRMC said the disaster management councils in Hinatuan, Tago and San Agustin in Caraga advised village officials to implement forced evacuation.

 

Forced evacuation was also implemented in Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

 

Officials in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur evacuated residents to higher ground. — ELR, GMA News