No casualties after Eastern Samar quake, says congressman

A highway and a portion of a bridge in Barangay Casoroy in San Julian, Eastern Samar, were damaged due to 6.2 earthquake that hit the place around 1:57 p.m. Tuesday. Photos courtesy: Maynard Evardone Madeja

MANILA, Philippines — There are no reported casualties following the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck Eastern Samar, the province’s lone congressman said Tuesday.

“Wala naman kaming na-receive na major damages and casualties, marami lang cracks sa school buildings, city hall, municipal halls,” congressman Ben Evardone said in an interview over AM radio station DZMM, adding that several residents also sustained minor injuries due to falling objects during the quake.

(We have not received major damages or any casualties. Although there are cracks in school buildings, city hall, and municipal halls.)

Evardone said that a cross on top of a bell tower at a church there was still hanging as they waited for a crane to remove it to avoid any further accidents.

Evardone added that all roads and bridges in the province are passable despite the cracks brought by the earthquake.

The congressman said there is no power in the whole province of Eastern Samar while several areas do not have cellular signal as well.

Evardone assured that the Eastern Samar government is monitoring the situation and is ready to provide assistance to the victims.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the earthquake hit 19 kilometers northwest of San Julian, Eastern Samar at 1:37 p.m. /je