Over 700 aftershocks recorded in quake-hit Visayas (Philippines)

> MANILA, Philippines – State seismologists have recorded over 700 aftershocks since a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Negros-Cebu region on Monday.

Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a total of 745 aftershocks were felt as of 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

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Solidum said more aftershocks may be recorded in the coming days. He explained such occurrences are normal after a major earthquake.

The strongest aftershock recorded so far has a magnitude of 6.2. It was recorded at 6:10 p.m. on Monday.

Phivolcs Deputy Director Bart Bautista, meanwhile, said the trend in Phivolcs data suggests that the strength of the upcoming aftershocks are going to weaken.

“Kung titignan ang trend ganon ang magiging sitwasyon, mababa ang probability na magkaroon pa ng serious activity,” Bautista said.

Death toll, damage

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the quake has claimed at least 15 lives.

Two of the fatalities came from the town of Tayasan; 2 from Jimalalud; 9 from Guihulngan City; 1 from Bindoy and 1 from Bais City.

Twenty-nine (29) individuals remain missing after allegedly being buried in a landlide in Barangay Planas in Guihulngan City.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, however, said a separate report reaching him said 40 were buried.

Fifty-two individuals (52), on the other hand, got injured.

The coastal towns of La Libertad and Tayasan, and the city of Guihulngan bore the brunt of the earthquake.

The bridges of Tinayunan in Guihulngan City; Matoog in Tayasan; Martelo in La Libertad were rendered impassable due to structural damage caused by the quake.

Bautista said the lack of high-rise structures in Negros Oriental kept the loss of life in the area at a minimum.

“Isang factor na tinitignan natin, hindi pa highly-built ang lugar na pinangyarihan, compared dito sa Metro Manila, kakaunti ang bulding na made of concrete na medyo mataas,” he said.

Relief efforts
Minda Morante of the Office of Civil Defense – Region 7 is asking for more relief goods from the government and volunteers, especially for the affected residents of the coastal towns of Negros Oriental.

Morante said some residents need tents where they can stay while waiting for the situation to become stable.

She noted some families are afraid to go back to their homes for fear of another quake. Some families have no homes to go back to after they were destroyed by the tremors.

source: ABS-CBN News

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