Power outage hits Tacloban as magnitude-6.5 quake jolts Leyte

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake in Leyte on Thursday afternoon triggered a power interruption in the province's capital of Tacloban City.

The quake struck 8km southwest of the town of Jaro at a depth of 2km beneath the island, at 4:03 p.m.

It was felt strongest in Jaro and Kananga, Leyte at Intensity VI.

The quake was also felt at Intensity V in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte, and even as far as Cebu City.

A report by GMA News stringer Jeff Manibay on Balita Pilipinas said further information on the extent of the quake's effects have yet to reach them since electricity in the city has been cut off.

At the Eastern Visayas State University, students rushed outside as building started shaking. Four students suffered panic attacks.

"The building was shaking, may nagtumbahan sa taas, and nagtakbuhan ang mga studyante palabas ng gusali," Manibay said.

He added that none of the school buildings collapsed.

Damage reports have yet to come in, said Manibay.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, two aftershocks have so far been recorded, with several more expected to follow.

The quake, however, is not expected to trigger tsunamis, Phivolcs added.

Phivolcs also said it does not expect serious damage from the quake because it happened in the mountains, far from residential areas. — Jessica Bartolome/MDM/KVD, GMA News