Bohol, Cebu Earthquake: 7.4 Magnitude Quake Hit PH Provinces; Damage, Cracks to Properties Reported (PHOTOS)
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines Tuesday morning. Unconfirmed reports said at least four people have died toppling power lines and leaving some provinces without electricity.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey the quake struck at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) around Bohol island to the north of Mindanao island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii meantime doused concerns of a possible tsunami. It said the temblor will not cause a Pacific-wide tsunami.
CEBU: Epicenter reportedly 2 kms of Carmen, Bohol.
— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) October 15, 2013
The temblor, apart from the Bohol epicenter, was felt in the following Philippine provinces:
- Bacolod
- Cebu
- Agusan del Norte
- Iloilo
- Negros Occidental
- Iligan City
- Cagayan de Oro
- Siquijor
- Southern Leyte
- Surigao City
- Dipolog
- Davao
- Zamboanga
- Bukidnon
- Dumaguete City
- Bicol
- Negros Oriental
- Misamis Oriental
Local news ANC quoted Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto saying some people have been rushed to the hospital. "We are alerting everyone of aftershocks."
The Region 7 Office of Civil Defense has reported four have died. The 400-year-old tower of Loboc church has been damaged.
Front of Loboc Church after collapse... pic.twitter.com/J1Cfrlm5k1
— Robert Michael Poole (@tokyodrastic) October 15, 2013
Loboc Church in Bohol collapsed front and center... Landslides around. People must be hurt. But seeing no casualties pic.twitter.com/oaoeU3bsI0
— Robert Michael Poole (@tokyodrastic) October 15, 2013
The early Tuesday morning temblor ripped roads apart.
Earthquake on Bohol now, roads torn up, electricity cables down... pic.twitter.com/HVhVtRNws0
— Robert Michael Poole (@tokyodrastic) October 15, 2013
Cracks have been reportedly seen at the MActan-Cebu Airport, according to ANC, quoting Department of Transportation and Communications Sec. Jun Abaya. Flights going in and outside of the region have been suspended.
Netizens reported on Twitter damages everywhere, including the malls in the region.
Damaged by the earthqauke here in Ayala Center Cebu pic.twitter.com/TSJhUNl8f1
— Randell Tiongson (@randelltiongson) October 15, 2013
EQ damages in CebuCity include skywalk of Country Mall, collapsed. part of Cebu Doctors Univ. bldg & Sto. Nino Church cracked.
— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) October 15, 2013
It is reported that Abatan bridge in Bohol collapsed as EQ epicenter originated in Bohol.
— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) October 15, 2013
Classes in public schools have been suspended Wednesday to allow authorities to check on possible damages.
PIA7/NEGOR: The Deped division dumaguete announces the suspension of classes tomorrow to check all school buildings due to the eartquake.
— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) October 15, 2013
"We're in Consolacion, Cebu. We're still outside our house because there are still strong aftershocks!" | via @khrigajo
— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) October 15, 2013