Magnitude 6.5 earthquake rattles Eastern Samar

Image from Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 6.2 earthquake rocked San Julian, Eastern Samar on Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

In its earthquake bulletin, Phivolcs said the earthquake was initially recorded at magnitude 6.2 and was raised to magnitude 6.5.

The earthquake hit 19 kilometers northwest of San Julian, Eastern Samar at 1:37 p.m.

Gaisano Mall in Calbayog City. Photo by Kristine Brozas

Phivolcs also reported that the tremor was felt in the following areas:

Intensity VI – San Julian, Eastern Samar;

Intensity V – Tacloban City; Catbalogan City, Samar; Gen. Mc Arthur, Salcedo and

Guiuan Eastern Samar; Naval, Biliran; Catarman, Northern Samar; Palo and Pastrana, Leyte;

Intensity IV – Abuyog, Hilongos, Javier, Capoocan, Julieta, Baybay, Barogo, Jaro, MacArthur,

Matalum, Villaba, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur; Iloilo City;

Naga City; Sorsogon City; Panganiban, Catanduanes;

Intensity III – Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; Cabalian, Southern Leyte; Dimasalang, Masbate;

Butuan City; Cabadbaran City;

Intensity II – Bago City; Bacolod City;

Brownouts were reported in Tacloban City, Leyte and the entire Northern Samar province following the quake.

People living along the shorelines in Barangay Baybay rushed out of their homes and stayed at the town proper due to fear of a tsunami.

Phivolcs said aftershocks and damage are from the earthquake.  However, it assured the public that there was no tsunami threat after the earthquake. — With Rachel Arnaiz/Inquirer Visayas /ee

There is #NoTsunami threat to the Philippines after the Magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Eastern Samar.

Source: PHIVOLCS#LagingHanda | #SaveLives pic.twitter.com/RYvzPoQC25

— Disaster Information Service PH (@DisasterInfoPH) April 23, 2019