CEBU (8th Update) – A powerful magnitude-7.2 earthquake jolted Carmen, Bohol and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao Tuesday morning, killing at least six persons and injuring dozens others. At least four people were confirmed killed in Cebu City. Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said in radio interview that the four were killed after a slab from the fish market fell on them. Were quite fortunate today is a holiday, not too many people in (office) buildings, he said. Another report said two persons were killed when part of a public market in Mandaue City in Cebu collapsed. Seventeen others were reportedly injured. Neil Sanchez of the local disaster council in Cebu told ANC that a school building has collapsed in Talisay City and several schoolchildren were trapped in the debris. The Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum Jr. said in a radio interview that while there is no indication the quake can cause a tsunami and damage. Phivolcs has so far recorded 18 aftershocks as of 10:30 a.m., he said. Bohol quake Location of the earthquake that hit Carmen, Bohol on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. (Source: Phivolcs) Radio reports said the quake was felt in Cebu and parts of Negros Oriental, and even as far as Iligan City in Mindanao. Phivolcs said the quake occurred at 8:12 a.m., with the epicenter at 2 kilometers southeast of Carmen in Bohol. It was tectonic in origin. Several structures were destroyed in Bohol, including the centuries old churches in Loboc and Loon. Three people were reportedly trapped. Bohol was last hit by a powerful earthquake in 1999. Several buildings in Cebu collapsed or have sustained damage, including the centuries old Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in downtown Cebu City. In Iloilo, the quake prompted motorists to stop vehicles and many people to run out of buildings. A brownout hit Iloilo City after the quake. Construction workers at a construction site in Mandurriao in Iloilo quickly left the site when they felt the quake. The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday suspended trips to Cebu after the strong quake. Coast Guard commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena also placed personnel in Cebu and Bohol on high alert. Major airports and most ports in Visayas were cleared by the Department of Transportation and Communications for operations. No airline has so far canceled flights to the Visayas for the day. In a radio interview, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Mactan International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City was cleared for operations following an inspection. Abaya also said Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol sustained some damage in the tower ceiling of the tower, but said it can operate after a brief cleanup. However, he said Tagbilaran Port may have to undergo further inspection. Classes in the cities of Cebu and Dumaguete in Central Visayas will be suspended Wednesday to allow an inspection of the schools there, the Philippine Information Agency reported. The Department of Educations office in Dumaguete City supervises 12 public elementary schools and two public secondary schools. State-run Philippine Information Agency said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the suspension applied to all public and private schools. (JK/Sunnex)
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 03:20:34 +0000
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