FILE PHOTO: This house in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, is among the houses heavily damaged or destroyed by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck waters off the municipality on Saturday night, December 2, 2023. Erwin M. Mascariñas
MANILA, Philippines — The number of people reportedly injured following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake off Hnatuan Municipality in Surigao del Sur has climbed to 12, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
It also noted in its latest situation report that it received information that a person died from the strong temblor, which even triggered small tsunamis along some Mindanao coasts and Japan’s islands.
The NDRRMC, however, stressed that they will still validate the reported fatality and injured individuals.
READ: Hinatuan now under state of calamity
The situation report likewise indicated that the quake affected 455 families or 1,874 individuals and damaged 173 houses and 62 infrastructures, mostly government facilities and schools.
READ: Phivolcs: Surigao del Sur quake at 7.4-magnitude, aftershocks recorded
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially said that the temblor’s magnitude was 6.9, but it was later changed to 7.4.
The quake struck waters near Hinatuan at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. At least 2,500 aftershocks have been recorded since.