Surigao Norte suspends classes in 1 city, 5 towns after another quake

Surigao City had yet to fully recover from the effects of a powerful earthquake on Feb. 10, 2017 (shown in photo above), when it  is hit by  a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on March 5, 2017.  The March 5 quake led to the death of an elderly woman and caused injuries to 42 persons. (Photo by REY BANIQUET/Presidential Photographers Division, Malacañang Palace via AP)

SURIGAO CITY – Classes have been suspended in Surigao City and five towns of Surigao del Norte following the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the province Sunday morning (Mar. 5).

Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas said classes have been suspended in Surigao City and the towns of Sison, Malimono, Taganaan, Mainit and San Francisco, the epicenter of Sunday’s quake.

Matugas said the suspension of classes would allow school administrators to assess the conditions of school buildings damaged by the earthquake.

She said the mayors in those towns could lift the suspension of classes upon confirming the structural safeness of the schools.

Sunday’s earthquake resulted in the death of a 65-year old woman, Socorro Celis, of Surigao City, who succumbed to cardiac arrest.

The tremor also wounded 42 people and destroyed over a dozen residential buildings.

Surigao City was hit by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake on the night of Feb. 10, 2017.  Eight were killed and over 200 were injured.  Extensive damage to buildings was seen. SFM/rga