A MAGNITUDE 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental on Friday morning, October 10, leaving one person dead, knocking out power across the province, and sending terrified residents fleeing to higher ground.
Ednar Dayanghirang, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense in Davao Region, confirmed the fatality in Davao Oriental, where preemptive evacuation is underway in the coastal municipality of Manay, the epicenter of the quake and hometown of Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang.
“I have just talked to Governor Dayanghirang and he told me the situation in the province is generally okay. But there is one confirmed dead in Davao Oriental. Preemptive evacuation in the municipality of Manay is ongoing right now,” Director Dayanghirang told Rappler.
In the nearby coastal town of Tarragona, residents panicked and ran to elevated areas after the tremor jolted their homes, according to Mayor Art Benjie Bolaong.
A widespread power outage hit the entire province, disrupting communications and hampering emergency response operations.
In the provincial capital, Mati City, Mayor Joel Mayo Almario ordered the immediate suspension of work and classes at all levels and directed the evacuation of thousands of residents. Many residents of Mati have sought refuge at a provincial capitol park situated atop a hill, while coastal residents across the province fled to higher ground.
“Please remain calm, follow evacuation routes, and cooperate with authorities and response teams. Stay alert and await further updates from official sources,” Almario advised.
Strong aftershocks continued to shake the province throughout the morning, intensifying fears among residents in the eastern seaboard province that faces the Pacific Ocean, where the quake originated.
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