MAGNITUDE 7.4 QUAKE HITS SURIGAO DEL SUR, 1 DEAD

A MAGNITUDE 7.4 earthquake on Saturday night struck Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

A tsunami warning was immediately released.

The local disaster reduction office reported that a woman from Tagum City in Davao del Norte province was killed when a wall of her house collapsed. Her husband and child were injured.

The epicenter of the tremor was traced east of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.

The 10:37 p.m. quake was first recorded by the Phivolcs at magnitude 6.9. Intensity 7 (destructive) was felt in Tandag City; intensity 6 (very strong) in Bislig City; and intensity 5 (strong) in Cagayan de Oro City; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; and Davao City.

Strong aftershocks were recorded by Phivolcs at 12:03 a.m. Sunday with magnitude 6.1 in Lingig, Surigao del Sur; 12:19 a.m., magnitude 5.1, Hinatuan; and 12:53 a.m., magnitude 5.7, also in Hinatuan. The strong aftershocks were followed by magnitudes 6.2 at 1:40 a.m., 5 at 1:55 a.m., and 5.2 at 3:36 a.m. — all in Hinatuan.

There were videos posted on social media showing residents fleeing their houses and going to evacuation centers. Phivolcs urged residents in the coastal areas of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland amid the threat of a tsunami. The tsunami warning was lifted at 3.23 a.m. Sunday.