There have been no reports of casualties from the magnitude 6 earthquake that struck Masbate, according to the province’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on Thursday.
“As of now, wala pang sinu-submit ang mga local DRRMOs as to casualties and damage,” said Masbate PDRRMO head Dr. Adonis Dilao.
According to state seismologists, the powerful tremor struck the province at 2:10 a.m. The epicenter was 11 kilometers southwest of Batuan town, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
It was most felt in Masbate City, where at least one hospital had to evacuate patients.
Masbate was hit by aftershocks following the M6.0 earthquake, and the coliseum was damaged.
“Medyo malakas lalo na dito sa City of Masbate kasi pati ‘yung mga kawad ng kuryente gumagalaw, yumuyugyog. Pati ‘yung mga sasakyan naka-park nayuyugyog talaga.
The tremor occurred less than 12 hours after the province was jolted by a shallow magnitude 5 earthquake.
Masbate’s city government has suspended classes at all levels, and all government employees, except those in frontline offices, have been told to stay home.
During a public briefing, Office of Civil Defense information officer Diego Agustin Mariano stated that local authorities have extended assistance to affected residents, particularly patients who were forced to evacuate hospitals due to aftershocks.
“Itong provincial office naman nagbigay ng tent, folding bed, at blankets, pero sa ngayon, nangangailangan pa rin ng karagdagang supply,” Mariano explained.
