- 6.7-magnitude earthquake hits southern Philippines
- Married couple crushed to death; tragedy near General Santos City
- No tsunami threat reported; quake struck off Sarangani province on Mindanao
Yesterday, a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern Philippines, claiming the lives of a married couple. As residents evacuated buildings, part of a shopping mall ceiling collapsed.
The quake struck off Sarangani province on Mindanao, the main southern island, at a depth of 78km around 4:14 pm (0814 GMT), according to the US Geological Service.
Fortunately, no tsunami threat was issued. Tragically, a man and his wife were discovered crushed beneath a concrete wall outside a wood factory near General Santos City, where they were employed, as reported by city police.
“The wall fell on them” during the quake, corporal Christopher Larano said.
The earthquake’s effects were experienced over a broad expanse of the mountainous island.
“I think it was the strongest earthquake I’ve ever experienced,” Keeshia Leyran, 27, said from Davao City, about 200km from the epicenter, where she was attending a conference.
“People around me were panicking and running to go outside.”
A verified photo circulated on Facebook depicted a collapsed ceiling within a General Santos shopping mall, located less than 100km from the epicenter.
Additionally, a video captured terrified shoppers in another city mall seeking refuge under fast-food restaurant tables, screaming as the building trembled and sections of the ceiling descended.
“We were on the second floor so there was nothing we could do but duck under the tables,” said Gregorio Narajos, 34, who shot the video.
“Power went out two or three seconds into the quake. It came back after a while,” Narajos said.
“I saw stuff falling from the ceiling. When we got out we saw cracks and debris outside.”
Adrian Imbong, an emergency medical services worker in General Santos, reported that approximately 30 students at a nearby high school received treatment for breathing difficulties caused by panic in the aftermath of the earthquake.
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