Earthquake death toll in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte climbs to 6, injured reaches 108; continuous assessment of damages going on

BUTUAN CITY –The death toll and the number of injuries of the 6.7 magnitude earthquake which hit Surigao City and Surigao del Norte at 10:03 p.m. on Friday climbs up to 6 with 108 injured.

Based on Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Situational Report No. 3 issued at 11:00 a.m. Feb. 11, (Saturday), which quoted sources from local DRRM Offices, PNP Municipal Police Stations and DOH Caraga, the Caraga Regional DRRM Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is continuously monitoring the effects of the earthquake particularly in Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte.

A “Red Alert Status” has been raised by the RDRRMC Operations Center.

RDRRMC spokesperson Ms. April Rose Ann Sanchez identified the fatalities as Robert Eludo, Jr., 39; Surigao City (hit by a blunt object); JM Ariar, 4; Surigao City (hit by a blunt object); Lito Wilson, between 22-28 years old; Surigao City (hit by a blunt object); Roda Justina Tagahanan, 83; Surigao City (Heart attack); and Wenefreda Aragon Bernal, 66; Surigao City (hit by a collapsed wall).

A total of 108 individuals were also reported to be injured in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte (80 patients were admitted to Caraga Regional Hospital; 20 at Surigao City Medical Hospital and 8 patients in Miranda Hospital).

Roads and buildings in the town of Mainit, Surigao del Norte incurred minor damages. The roads, however, remained passable.

The Anao-aon Bridge in San Francisco, Surigao del Norte has collapsed and remained impassable while some roads are partly damaged.

There were collapsed houses and walls in Brgys. Baya-ag and Biabid in Municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte and also minor damages were noted in the residential houses of the said town. Portions of Surigao City Trade School are said to be damaged.

Several residential houses in Surigao City, the Surigao State College of Technology and Yuipco Bldg. in Brgy. Taft, Surigao City were also damaged.

Electricity was totally cut off in the Municipalities of San Francisco and Malimono, Surigao del Norte while Surigao City has partial power failure.

Surigao City Domestic Airport runway has cracked and the Cebu Pacific and all other flights were cancelled due to damaged runway. Flights are diverted to Butuan City airport in Bancasi.

As to the status of ports, which were damaged and non-passable bridges and national highways going to Lipata Port Station in Surigao City, all vessels as well as port operations are transferred to Surigao City Port.

The Caraga Regional Hospital has declared “Code Blue Alert Status.” PNP Provincial and City Offices and the Municipal Police Stations are conducting onsite assessment on the effects of the earthquake. The initial reports were already sent to PRO 13. DSWD SWAD Team Leader coordinated with the field staff for damages. No Tsunami Threat Advisory has been issued.

The Department of Health is continuously coordinating with Caraga Regional Hospital Operations Center. Responders are deployed in affected areas in the city and the province.

Surigao City DRRMO with Special Rescue Unit of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, 30th IB Philippine Army and Surigao City Incident Management Team conducted search and rescue operations in Brgy. Poknoy, Surigao City. Surigao City DRRMO conducted Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) to affected areas.