Surigao City quake death toll now at 6, wounded at 126

MANILA –The death toll in the 6.7-magnitude quake that struck Surigao City Friday night has climbed to six, while wounded persons numbered 126.

This was disclosed by Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, Ramon Gotinga, in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday.

“Death toll as of now is six, on the damages (sustained), assessment is still ongoing,” he added.

“Number of wounded as of now is at 126,” he added.

The 6.7-magnitude tremor that rocked Surigao City at about 10:03 p.m. Friday also damaged the city’s airport and several buildings and structures.

Several other buildings and business establishments, among them the Gaisano Capital shopping mall, Parkway Hotel, and Absolute Essentials building, also suffered damage.

Partial damage was observed at the Surigao State College of Technology, Palma store, parts of the road in Barangay Rizal, and parts of the National Highway in Barangay Luna.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesman, said the earthquake also wrecked the bridge in Barangay Anao-aon in San Francisco, Surigao del Norte.

A power outage engulfed a large part of the city as soon as the temblor struck, then aftershocks were felt, he said.

Rescue operations by the 30th Infantry Battalion are still underway in Surigao City and other parts of Surigao del Norte as of Saturday, Martinez said.