Chances of finding earthquake survivors slim; death toll at 26

THE 71 people believed buried in two earthquake-triggered landslides in Negros Oriental have “very slim” chances of surviving, according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos.

“This is the third day. I am still hoping against hope but the chances are very slim,” Ramos said yesterday afternoon when interviewed by phone from Dumaguete City.

The landslides trapped at least 29 people in their homes in barangay Planas, Guihulngan City and 42 others in their homes in barangay Solongon, La Libertad.

Ramos said the houses were buried under piles of soil.

But the search and rescue operations led by troops from the Army’s 302nd Brigade would go on “as long as it takes,” he vowed.

The NDRRMC said 26 people were confirmed killed in the earthquake all from Negros Oriental: 13 in Guihulngan, four in Jimalalud, three in Tayasan, three in La Libertad and one each in Bindoy, Bais and Ayungon.

Meanwhile, at least 52 were reported injured: 40 in Guihulngan and 12 in Jimalalud.

Ramos said nearly all the economic activities halted in the towns of Negros Oriental that were hit by Monday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

He said stores in Guihulngan, Ayungon, Jimalalud and La Libertad remain closed due to recurring aftershocks.

“There is no economic activity. There are still aftershocks,” he said.

Due to the frequent aftershocks, Ramos said people were afraid to sleep in their homes and preferred to sleep in open spaces like parks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 1,214 aftershocks, of which 69 were felt early morning yesterday.

Meanwhile in Iloilo City, the operations of government offices, including the courts, were disrupted yesterday morning after a moderately strong aftershock sent employees out of buildings.

The 5.2-magnitude aftershock around 8:41 a.m. rattled employees at the Metro Iloilo Water District, six-story Iloilo provincial capitol and three-story Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice in Iloilo City.

The employees went out of the buildings and gathered outside the ground floor for around 15 minutes. Some complained of dizziness. /INQUIRER