Eastern Samar execs report no major damage from strong earthquake

TACLOBAN CITY—The magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck Eastern Samar on Monday afternoon caused minor structural damage but no reported fatalities, even as aftershocks continued to be felt in the province the following day, authorities said.

The tremor, which occurred at 2:09 p.m., was traced to the coastal town of San Julian, a municipality with more than 14,000 residents.

Local officials reported damage to dozens of homes and public structures, though most were limited to cracks and minor structural impairments.

READ: Eastern Samar earthquake injures child

San Julian Mayor Dorie Jorgie Estaron said at least 36 houses and 22 public buildings were affected.

Among the damaged facilities were the municipal hall, police station, and several schools, most of which sustained hairline cracks.

At the East Visayan Institute, Inc., a private school, a damaged firewall was demolished as a precautionary measure.

Injured

A chapel in the town also sustained minor damage, while one person was reported injured after being struck by falling debris, Estaron said in a radio interview over Bombo Radyo Tacloban.

The Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas confirmed there were no major destructions or fatalities.

The Philippine National Police also reported minor damage to at least four police facilities, including stations in Can-avid, Taft, and San Julian, as well as the provincial police office.

Nearby towns, such as Dolores and Oras, likewise reported light damage, while authorities confirmed that all major roads and bridges in the province remained passable and intact.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded a series of aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.3 to magnitude 3.0 as of Tuesday morning, with the epicenter still traced to San Julian.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as residents remain on alert for possible further seismic activity. INQ