Six-year-old killed as quake strikes Philippine city of Davao
MANILA: A strong earthquake struck near the Philippine city of Davao yesterday, killing a child, damaging buildings and causing several injuries, officials said, the latest in a series of tremors to strike the southern part of the country in recent months.
The magnitude 6.8 quake was centred 61km south-west of Davao on the island of Mindanao, at a depth of 28.2km, the US Geological Survey said, revising down the magnitude from an earlier 6.9.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the quake, based on available data.
Mr Vincent Fernandez, the mayor of Matanao town in Davao del Sur province, near the epicentre, told Radio DZMM that a six-year-old girl had died after a wall collapsed on her.
Mr Fernandez said the extent of the damage was not yet clear but authorities needed food, water and tarpaulins and blankets to help residents.
Mr Anthony Allada, public information officer of nearby Magsaysay Town, said 14 people were injured but none seriously. Roads and buildings, including the local government office, were damaged and power was out in the town, he said.
The region was shaken by four powerful quakes in October and November, which together killed at least 20 people.
"We don't know what to do anymore. Do we respond first or attend to our families first?", Mr Allada told Radio DZMM.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who is from Davao, was in the city when the quake struck.
"He is okay. He and his daughter Kitty were in their house when the quake struck," the presidential spokesman said.
"First Lady Honeylet was on her way home when the ground trembled. She said her car was swaying. She is unhurt."
A three-storey building collapsed in the town of Padada, in Davao del Sur, the local disaster agency reported. Authorities said some people were inside the building and a rescue effort was underway.
"I saw the building when it fell," resident of Padada Leighton Angcan told Reuters.
"It was the tallest here and it was really destroyed. I saw people running outside." - REUTERS
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