Classes suspended in Kidapawan City after magnitude 6.3 quake

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in all levels in Kidapawan City are cancelled for Thursday, October 17, following a magnitude 6.3 quake that hit the city and other areas in Mindanao on Wednesday night.

Kidapawan City mayor Joseph Evangelista said the class suspension covers all levels, both public and private, to make way for inspections of school buildings.

Evangelista said that a rapid assessment team has been deployed to make rounds in the city and check status of residents and buildings.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injury from the quake,  Evangelista said in an interview over radio station DZMM.

“Yung yugyog ay parang may dumadaan na pison na napakalakas,” the city mayor said.

Evangelista said evacuation centers have been opened to cater to affected residents, particularly hospital patients who evacuated the city hospital.

Additional evacuation centers will be opened and police officers have been deployed.