Quake leads to stampede at Surigao mall

MANILA, Philippines – A cellphone camera captured a stampede of shoppers at the Gaisano Capital Mall in Surigao City, after a magnitude 5.9 quake hit the area on Friday, March 16.

A video posted by Rey Abinsay on Facebook showed security guards, mall personnel and police trying to help the crowd at the entrance of the mall as they try to get out of the building.

The 2 minute, 45-second clip showed dozens of shoppers being assisted by the security and mall personnel after they fell to the ground.

The people entangled were eventually helped out of the crush at the mall’s doors.

It is not yet known if there were injuries in the said stampede.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that there were minor cracks observed at the Gaisano Mall, the scene of the video, as well as at the provincial gymnasium.

Three people have been reported injured due to the quake, the NDRRMC said in its bulletin.

Magnitude upgraded

The magnitude 5.9 earthquake, of tectonic origin, struck off the coast of Surigao del Norte on Friday, March 16.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier pegged the quake at magnitude 5.7, but upgraded it at 4:35 pm.

The agency said the epicenter of the quake was centered 2 kilometers south of Dinagat Island, at around 3:58 pm local time.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the focus of the quake at a depth of 44.3 km from the surface.

Intensity V was felt at General Luna, Surigao del Norte; and Intensity IV at Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.

Here are the other ares that felt the earthquake, as per Phivolcs:

• Intensity V – Basilisa, Dinagat; San Ricardo, Southern Leyte
• Intensity IV – Carrascal, Surigao del Sur
• Intensity III – Tolosa and Tacloban Leyte; Davao City; Bislig City; Borongan, Oras, Dolores, Eastern Samar
• Intensity II – Cebu City; Sulat, Eastern Samar
• Intensity I – Hibok-Hibok, Camiguin

Phivolcs said they are expecting aftershocks and damages from the quake. – Rappler.com