Magnitude 6.9 quake that hits Davao del Sur brings damage, injuries and lost of life

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Davao del Sur Sunday afternoon.

In an updated advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake’s epicenter was located 9 kilometers west of Matanao municipality – around nine kilometers west of the capital, Digos City.

The earthquake happened around 2:11 p.m.

The quake’s epicenter was initially reported to be six kilometers west of Padada.

Governor Douglas Cagas said a 6-year-old child from Barangay Asinan, Matanao died in the quake as she was not able to flee their house before it collapsed.

Padada Vice Mayor Frachel Guerero said a rescue operation was ongoing in an old building where three people were reportedly trapped.

Photos shared on social media showed homes and other structures damaged in the quake

Speaking to CNN Philippines Sunday, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said reports about damage should be coming in soon, but he said it was too soon to speculate on what damage could have occurred.

“This is a strong earthquake,” he said. However, Solidum said they have not issued a tsunami warning as the epicenter was inland.

Senator Richard Gordon, who is also the chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, said he has instructed the Philippine Red Cross in Iloilo to send a team to Padada to help in the “rescue and recovery of casualties” in a collapsed building.

6-year-old girl among 3 killed as 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocks southern Philippines