5 more bodies recovered in Negros; death toll now 39

Saturday, February 11, 2012

CEBU CITY (Updated) -- The number of fatalities in the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Negros and Cebu islands last Monday rose to 39, with five more bodies recovered Friday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in its 8 p.m. report, also reported three aftershocks Friday, with the latest occurring at 4:46 a.m. in La Libertad town. The other two had the epicenter at Mabinay and Tayasan.

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The weak tremors Friday brought the total number of aftershocks to 1,428 since Monday’s quake, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

As to the fatalities, the NDRRMC said 16 bodies were recovered in Guihulngan, eight in Jimalalud, three in Tayasan, one in Bindoy, two in Manjuyod, two in Ayungon, and seven in La Libertad.

Fifty-four people were injured, while 71 remain missing as of this posting.

The 6.9-magnitude tremor that occurred at 11:49 a.m. Monday at five kilometers northwest of Tayasan was set off by movement in an undersea fault.

Earlier, NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the number of fatalities will likely increase further as rescuers struggle to reach remote areas.

The NDRRMC said the total number of population affected in Central Visayas is 21,076 families or 93,397 persons. Families currently served inside and outside evacuation centers number to 17,788 or 88,940 persons.

Relief operations continue for the quake victims in Negros Oriental. (Sunnex)