Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes Davao de Oro

MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 6 earthquake hit the province of Davao de Oro at 6:44 pm on Wednesday, February 1.

Its epicenter was New Bataan, a first-class municipality with a population of more than 51,000.

The earthquake also shook Davao City and was felt across Southern Mindanao, with its effects strong enough to send people outdoors.

Students and teachers fled classrooms, while medical workers brought patients to open spaces, outside of a hospital.

The earthquake also caused damage to homes and establishments. Photos and videos of objects shaking and fallen merchandise went viral on social media.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially put the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.1, then downgraded it to 6.

Phivolcs had warned that damage and aftershocks were expected.

The following intensities were reported:

• Intensity V – New Bataan, Davao de Oro
• Intensity IV – Davao City; Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
• Intensity III – Damulog, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Libona, Pangantucan, and Talakag, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; Cagwait and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
• Intensity II – President Roxas, Capiz; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; El Salvador City and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; Aleosan, Antipas, Arakan, Carmen, Kabacan, Kidapawan City, Libungan, M’lang, Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, Pikit, and Tulunan, Cotabato; Koronadal City, South Cotabato; Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat; Cotabato City
• Intensity I – Esperanza and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat

– Rappler.com