State of calamity declared in quake-hit Surigao

MANILA- A state of calamity has been declared in Surigao City Saturday after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit the area.

A memorandum released Saturday signed by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said the earthquake was felt in all 54 barangays of the city and has caused damage to property and has killed 7 people and injured 120 others.

Five of the fatalities have been identified as Robert Eludo Jr., 39; JM Ariar, 4; Wilson Lito; Wenefreda Aragon Bernal,66; and Lorenzo Deguino, 86.

Four of the victims died due to falling debris; 1 due to heart attack and 1 was hit by a collapsed wall.

• READ: Surigao quake death toll climbs to 6

The 6.7-magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km, its epicentre recorded about 13 km east of the city of Surigao, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

Locals sought higher ground out of fear of aftershocks,and spent the night in parks and evacuation centers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Surigao suspended flights going into and out of the city after Friday's powerful quake damaged their runway.

In a statement Saturday, the Department of Energy said a report of the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO) revealed that damage in power distribution lines is minimal and it will be able to energize the isolated areas of Surigao City and the towns of San Francisco and Molino once the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) completes its maintenance activities within the day.

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