DAVAO (Updated) -- The powerful earthquake that struck Tulunan, Cotabato and neighboring areas in Mindanao Thursday, October 31, left at least 11 people in Davao City injured and some buildings damaged.
The magnitude 6.5 quake, which had a depth of eight kilometers, struck at 9:11 a.m. Thursday. It was felt at intensity 6 in Davao City, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The earthquake caused the partial collapse of a residential tower of Ecoland 4000 Residences, the oldest condominium built in the city. Eleven individuals were injured in the incident.
A situational report released 12:30 p.m. Thursday showed that there was no reported death in Davao City yet, as rescue operations were ongoing.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said based on information from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao, 10 persons sustained minor injuries, while another one was rushed to a hospital after incurring laceration on the head possibly due to falling debris.
Injured were Catley Ubas, 27, who sustained a head injury; Naser Enog, 27, who sustained a minor injury on his right hand; Baswil Ledya, 60, who sustained a minor injury on the hand; Park Jung O, 61, a Korean national who sustained a minor injury on his head; Lydia Notarte, 60; Luisa Basuil, 32; Arwind Basuil, 6; Ariah Basuil, 4; Aljun Betalueno, 23; Reymart Fadrique, 23; and Chrislamb Vicente.
The five-story residential building has 56 rooms, with 15 to 20 occupants.
The search and rescue team coming from Integrated Security Forces Search and Rescue Forces, composed of the Central 911, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao, PRO-Davao, and other volunteers, came to respond to the disaster.
Duterte-Carpio, in a press conference Thursday, said that Central 911 had already checked the rooftop and the third floor of the Ecoland building and had not seen any trapped residents.
The Central 911 personnel were also assisted by the Philippine Coast Guard, who used its cadaver dog to check if there are people trapped inside. So far, there were no signs of trapped victims, said Duterte-Carpio.
She said the rescue team was having a hard time inspecting the damaged building because it has become unstable, stressing any sudden movement may cause it to topple.
Prior to Thursday's (October 31) earthquake, the City Government had sent the management of the residential complex three written notices about the problem in its building.
Cracks in nearby condo
Aside from Ecoland 4000, portions of the Verdon Parc Condominium were also affected by the 6.5-magnitude earthquake.
In a photo posted on SunStar Davao's Facebook page, cracks can be seen in some portions of the building.
DMCI Homes, Verdon Parc's developer, said the damage "do not impose any negative effect on the structural integrity of the building and can be eventually rectified to preserve the structural soundness of the affected walls."
"Based on the initial investigation conducted by DMCI Homes' Design and Engineering team and its structural engineering consultant Macro Consulting, the damages and cracks that manifested on the walls of Verdon Parc are considered non-structural in nature," DMCI said in a statement.
Suspension of classes
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio has declared the suspension of classes in all levels, both in private and public schools, from October 31 to November 4, 2019.
"Meron tayong earthquake kanina na 6.5 magnitude and so far, ang nagawa is nag suspend tayo ng classes from kindergarten to post graduate studies in public and private educational institutions," she said.
She added they intend to extend the cancellation of classed until Monday, November 4, because of the long weekend.
"We do not expect building employees and school administrators to be able to properly assess their infrastructures. We will recommend the resumption of classes on Tuesday (November 5)," she added.