6.6-magnitude earthquake injures 36 in Masbate

MANILA, Philippines — The powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake that rocked Masbate on Tuesday morning left one dead and 36 others injured, according to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

In a phone call interview with INQUIRER.net, PRC-Masbate chapter Administrator Marie Jane Oxemer said that initial reports from the PRC showed that a resident of Brgy. Alimango in Cataingan, Masbate died from the tremor, which was also felt in central Luzon.

Cataingan disaster officer Venus Rojo confirmed that the fatality was retired Police Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sauro, who died after he was pinned down under his collapsed house.

Oxemer added that 36 people in Masbate sustained injuries.

In Cataingan, where state seismologists said was the epicenter of the powerful quake, Oxemer said that its local public attorney’s office, public market and its police station were damaged from the quake.

A road in Barangay Gahit, Cataingan was also damaged, according to Oxemer.

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As of Tuesday, PRC officials are still gathering information regarding the extent of damage and number of casualties caused by the quake.

JPV