Magnitude 7 quake sends students, workers fleeing in parts of Mindanao

Follow our live coverage of the June 8 Mindanao earthquake here.

COTABATO CITY— A magnitude 7 earthquake struck parts of Mindanao on the first day of classes in several areas, forcing students and workers to rush out of buildings as strong shaking was felt across multiple provinces.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the tremor was recorded at 7:37 a.m., with the epicenter located about 13 kilometers south of General Santos City in South Cotabato.

READ: ‘Destructive’ intensity felt after earthquake off Sarangani — Phivolcs

Disruptions to internet, electricity, and water services were reported in Koronadal City, the regional center of SOCCSKSARGEN.

Local governments swiftly ordered suspensions of classes and work. Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao suspended classes at all levels, while Kidapawan City also ordered the suspension of classes and government work.

In Cotabato City, students at the Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School and other schools evacuated as the ground shook during earthquake drills being conducted at the start of the school year.

In General Santos City, portions of SM Mall reportedly sustained minor damage due to the tremor.

READ: Phivolcs: Tsunami warning out after offshore M7 earthquake in Sarangani

Reported Intensities

Intensity VII – General Santos City

Intensity VI – Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino (Sultan Kudarat)

Intensity V – Davao City; Kidapawan City; Carmen (Cotabato); Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino (Sultan Kudarat); Sibuco and Siocon (Zamboanga del Norte)

Intensity IV – Mati City (Davao Oriental); Buug (Zamboanga Sibugay); Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona (Davao Oriental)

Intensity III – Butuan City; Mainit (Surigao del Norte); Dapitan City (Zamboanga del Norte); Kumalarang and Vincenzo Sagun (Zamboanga del Sur)

Intensity II – Dipolog City; Labason, Liloy, President Manuel A. Roxas, and Salug (Zamboanga del Norte); Alicia, Ipil, Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Siay (Zamboanga Sibugay); Molave (Zamboanga del Sur); Abuyog and Dulag (Leyte); San Francisco (Southern Leyte)

Instrumental Intensities

Intensity VII – Koronadal City (South Cotabato); Santa Maria (Davao Occidental)

Intensity V – Davao City

Intensity III – Abuyog (Leyte)

Intensity II – San Francisco (Southern Leyte); Dulag (Leyte)

Authorities continue to assess possible damage and aftershocks following the strong quake that rattled large parts of Mindanao and nearby provinces./coa