Masbate quake hurts 6

MANILA, Philippines – Classes have been suspended in Masbate City and damage has been reported in several buildings after a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the area, injuring 6 people.

The earthquake struck at around 7:06 am local time on Tuesday, March 6, with the epicenter located 3 kilometers north of the city.

The quake was of tectonic origin, and the focus was recorded at a depth 23 km.

Intensity VI was felt in Masbate City, while Intensity IV was felt in Irosin and Cabid-an municipalities in Sorsogon, and in Sorsogon City.

Intensity III, meanwhile, was felt in Sigma, Capiz; Catarman and Capul Island, Northern Samar; Almagro and Tagapul-an, Western Samar; and Intesity II was felt in Legazpi and Iloilo Cities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 5 aftershocks since the main quake, and there were reports of damage in the city.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in its latest situation report, reported several buildings in the city having large cracks, including structures housing branches of fastfood giant Jollibee and M.V. Lhuiller pawnshop.

The NDRRMC reported 6 injured, all of whom were brought to the Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment.

They are:

• Rex Davida, 8 years old, male (foot injury)
• Christine Dicos, 17 years old, female (foot injury)
• Cesar Garapal, 31, male (head injury)
• Jinky Asareas, 16, female (head injury)
• Leonard Dimitillar, 3, male (head injury)
• Jiho Emilio Antonio, 2, male (head injury)

Local authorities are assessing possible damage throughout the province, in particular in mining areas.

The tremor comes exactly one month after the 6.9 earthquake in the Negros area, which killed 55 people. – Rappler.com