Child, employees among casualties in quake-hit Pampanga supermarket

MANILA, Philippines — A child and employees of a supermarket in Porac town, Pampanga were among the casualties of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the province on Monday.

Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda said the child, whose parents are working in Korea, was killed after the Chuzo Supermarket collapsed during the quake.

“May isang batang nakuha, namatay. Yung magulang niya nasa abroad. Nasa Korea yung [magulang nung] bata,” Pineda told Radyo Inquirer.

Meanwhile, four employees, who live in Tarlac province, were also killed in collapsed supermarket, Pineda said.

“‘Yung iba na nakitang apat na patay, yung iba taga Tarlac,” Pineda said.

Pineda added that the families have yet to claim the bodies of the employees.

“Hanggang ngayon yung taga-Tarlac na empleyado, wala pang nag-claim, so hindi natin alam na yung mga magulang baka hindi pa nila nalalaman yung hindi pa sila nakakabalita,” she said.

The governor also clarified that they have yet to confirm the number of people trapped in the supermarket.

In Mexico, Pampanga, Pineda said a senior citizen was also killed while a child was injured after a water tank fell on them.

“Isang senior citizen na sa may Mexico, Pampanga. Nadaganan ng tangke ng tubig. Kasama yung apo niya pero yung apo niya nasa ospital,” Pineda said.  /muf