Magnitude 7.4 quake jolts Davao region

More than a week after a strong earthquake jolted Cebu, another powerful magnitude 7.4 temblor struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. yesterday, shaking wide areas of Mindanao and the Visayas, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

At least three people were reported killed as of last night while many houses and buildings including schools sustained heavy damage.

The quake, which originated 43 kilometers northeast of Manay at a depth of 23 kilometers, prompted Phivolcs to issue a tsunami warning for several eastern coastal provinces before it was lifted in the early afternoon.

The quake was felt strongest at Intensity 5 in parts of Davao de Oro, including Compostela, Maco, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan and Pantukan; in Davao del Norte, covering Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, New Corella, Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal, Santo Tomas and Tagum City as well as in Davao Oriental's Cateel and Mati City.

Strong shaking was also reported in Davao City, Davao Occidental's Jose Abad Santos, and parts of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, including Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tupi, Tampakan, Alabel, Glan, Malungon, Butuan, Claver, Gigaquit and Mainit, along with General Santos City.

Moderately strong tremors (Intensity IV) were recorded in Tacloban City and several municipalities in Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte and Cotabato City, while Intensity III shaking reached parts of the Visayas, including Eastern Samar, Leyte, Ormoc City, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat. Weaker intensities were experienced in Negros Oriental, Biliran, Sorsogon, Zamboanga Peninsula, and parts of South Cotabato, where residents reported gentle swaying movements.

Instrumental readings showed Intensity V in Davao City, Nabunturan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tupi, Alabel, Malungon and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, while Intensity IV was recorded in Cebu City, Malaybalay, Digos, Surigao City, Bislig and General Santos City.