Aftershocks rock Davao

QUICK RESPONSE. Emergency responders attend to a Crossing Bayabas National High School student who was among the 145 students who experienced dizziness and nausea while others even lost consciousness while being evacuated due to aftershocks in Toril, Davao City on Wednesday, July 10. (Photo by Janoz Laquihon)
QUICK RESPONSE. Emergency responders attend to a Crossing Bayabas National High School student who was among the 145 students who experienced dizziness and nausea while others even lost consciousness while being evacuated due to aftershocks in Toril, Davao City on Wednesday, July 10. (Photo by Janoz Laquihon)



SEVERAL students of Crossing Bayabas National High School (CBNHS) in Toril, Davao City were rushed to the hospital on Wednesday, July 10, after they passed out while being evacuated due to aftershocks.

Based on the police report, around 8:40 a.m., Wednesday, some students, experienced nausea and dizziness and some even fell unconscious. After the incident, the 911 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Police Station (PS8), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, volunteer rescue groups, and Toril Police Station Alert Team immediately responded to the area.

Based on the final report of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), a total of 145 students manifested signs and symptoms of distress due to panic after an earthquake. Responders were immediately deployed to provide emergency services.

In their summary report, 98 patients refused to be transported (to nearby hospitals or health centers) but were treated on site; 39 patients were transported to Malta Hospital; three patients were transported to Guadalupe Hospital; three patients were transported to St. John Hospital; two patients were catered by BFP and transported to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

"Contrary to earlier reports there was no occurrence of a stampede during the incident," CDRRMC Operations Officer Rodrigo Bustillo also said.

CBNHS, through its official Facebook, denied the report, saying that there was no stampede that allegedly triggered the incident.

“Crossing Bayabas NHS is safe: Gusto lang ipaklaro sa among tulonghaan nga dili tinood og fake news ang mga nanggawas na balita og istorya (Crossing Bayabas National High School is safe. We would like to clear the news being circulated online. These are not true and are fake news,” the post said, also denying several posts that there were collapsed buildings because of the earthquake, burned classrooms, possessed students and stampede.

“Ang mga panghitabo ganina epekto lamang sa aftershocks na atong nasinati diri sa atong dakbayan. #OurSchoolisSafe (The incident was the effect of aftershocks that we experienced in the city),” the post read.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported through its website that a magnitude of 5.6 earthquake hit North Cotabato on Tuesday evening, July 9.

Phivolcs said the quake, initially reported as magnitude 5.3., was tectonic in origin and occurred at 8:37 p.m., with the epicenter located eight kilometers (km) Southwest of Makilala, North Cotabato. It had a depth of five kilometers.

The tremor was felt at intensity 5 in Makilala, North Cotabato; Kidapawan City; Koronadal City; Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur; intensity 4 in Davao City; Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan, Sto. Nino, Tacurong City and Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Glan and Malungon, Sarangani; intensity 3 in General Santos City; Kiamba, Sarangani; and intensity 2 in Cotabato City and Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

Meanwhile, because of the earthquake and its aftershocks, Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas suspended classes in all levels of public and private schools in the province. He said in a statement that an incident command center has been established in the compound while responding elements are attending to the victims who were already brought to nearby hospitals.

The statement added that on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. and the following day, July 10 at 2 a.m. and 8:56 a.m., aftershocks were experienced and registered 4.9, 5.1. and 4.9 magnitudes, respectively. The municipalities of Bansalan, Matanao, Padada, and Digos City, also declared suspension of classes in all private and public schools.

“It is a policy of the state to protect the welfare and safety of the general public especially in time of disasters and calamities,” the statement read.

In the Philippine News Agency report, Phivolcs has recorded 53 aftershocks after the 5.6 magnitude earthquake jolted on Tuesday in Makilala, North Cotabato. The latest of the aftershocks were felt at 8:46 a.m., Wednesday.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph