A magnitude 6.5 quake shook Eastern Samar province this afternoon and jolted the five other provinces in Eastern Visayas region.
The earthquake, which struck at 1:37 pm and has a depth of 63 kilometers, was initially reported as a 6.2-magnitude quake.
After gathering more information, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) raised the magnitude to 6.5.
The quake’s epicentre was traced to San Julian, Eastern Samar where Intensity 6 was felt. Intensity 5 was felt in Tacloban City, Palo and Pastrana in Leyte, Catbalogan City in Samar, Naval in Biliran, Catarman in Northern Samar and Gen MacArthur, Salcedo and Guiuan towns in Eastern Samar.
Intensity 4 was felt in Abuyog, Hilongos, Javier, Capoocan, Julieta, Baybay, Barogo, Jaro, MacArthur, Matalum, Villaba, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur Iloilo City; Naga City; Sorsogon City; and Panganiban, Catanduanes.
Initial information from the Philippine Information Agency Eastern Samar Center said patients and watchers of the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital went out of their rooms after the quake fearing aftershocks.
The J and F mall in Borongan closed shop after letting out their customers and workers.
The Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police did the rounds of damage assessment in Borongan City.
The Department of Public Works and Highways noted cracks in Casoroy Bridge in San Julian.
In Northern Samar, patients of the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital also went out of the building and stayed at the Freedom Park, a few meters away from the hospital.
The Catarman Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office reported four person of legal age were injured during the earthquake.
In Tacloban City, employees and workers of offices and commercial establishments also went out of the buildings. The provincial government of Leyte and city government of Tacloban suspended afternoon work following the quake.
A college building sustained cracks. Robinsons Malls in Abucay and Marasbaras also closed shop after the quake.
The disaster caused power interruptions in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Calbayog City, according to the Department of Energy.
PhiVolcs advisory said no tsunami threat to the Philippines exists. At least 21 aftershocks were recorded in the Visayas after the quake.(By Venus May H. Sarmiento)
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