Deaths, damage rising after massive quakes

Authorities on Saturday, Oct. 11, said at least seven deaths have already been recorded and damage to infrastructure continues to increase following the massive magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquake that jolted Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG, MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT, and ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

In its latest situational report released 6 a.m., the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that three fatalities were recorded in Mati City, three in Pantukan, and one in Davao City.

The Department of Education (DepEd), citing initial estimates from ongoing assessments, reported on Saturday some P2.2 billion in damage to 575 schools and 189 injured teachers and students. Alternative learning modes are being implemented to ensure class continuity amid suspensions of face-to-face classes.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded at least 824 aftershocks following the massive twin quakes.

In its latest advisory, Phivolcs said 346 aftershocks were plotted, while 13 were felt by residents. Magnitudes ranged from 1.2 to 5.8, based on data from the Mati seismic station.

In Mati City, a 54-year-old woman was struck by a collapsed wall while two others died due to heart attack.

Three people also perished after being buried at a collapsed mining site in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan, Davao de Oro. The lone fatality in Davao City was an 80-year-old man who died after being pinned by a collapsed concrete wall.

An eighth fatality in Montevista, Davao de Oro was reportedly due to heart attack but it was not counted by the Office of Civil Defense in Davao Region (OCD-11).

"We were supposed to include the one in Montevista, Davao de Oro but clearly, according to local disaster officers, it's not actually related to the earthquake," OCD-11 Regional Director Ednar Dayanghirang said in Filipino during a radio interview with dzBB.

The municipality of Manay, where the epicenter of the quakes was recorded, has been placed under a state of calamity following widespread damage and displacement.

A total of 3,519 families composed of 8,436 individuals were affected in nine barangays in Davao Region and Caraga (Region 13).