Location of the 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Catanduanes PHOTO: official facebook page of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
LEGAZPI CITY – At least nine families or 32 individuals evacuated from the coastal areas of Gigmoto town in Catanduanes after the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that hit the province Tuesday night (April 4).
Roberto Monterola, chief of the Emergency Operations Center of the province, said the evacuees took shelter at their village hall and private houses in Barangay Biong due to fear of a tsunami after the quake and continuous aftershocks.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised a tsunami warning for Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck 8:54 p.m., 120 kilometers southeast of Gigmoto.
The Phivolcs bulletin initially reported a magnitude 6.6, but later downgraded to magnitude 6.2 based on the new data.
Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense Bicol chief, earlier advised the Department of Tourism to inform the resort owners to discourage all coastal activities while fishermen were also prohibited from venturing out into the sea.
Phivolcs lifted the tsunami warning in its 12:30 a.m. advisory on Wednesday, April 5.
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