Hotel building collapses as third strong quake in two weeks shakes Cotabato

October 31, 2019

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the area where two previous quakes hit, resulting in the collapse of a hotel building in Cotabato, officials said Thursday.

The quake was monitored at 28 kilometers northeast of Tulunan, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs) around 9:11 am.

Phivolcs said casualties and damage are expected.

It said the quake, tectonic in origin, has a depth of six kilometers.

Mark Timbal, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesman, said the collapsed hotel building was located in Kidapawan City.

"On going rescue operation now conducted in Kidapawan City due to collapsed building - Evas Hotel," he said

Timbal said the operation is being conducted by members of Kidapawan City 911, Kidceru, Phillippine Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection and North Cotabato rescue team.

Phivolcs also recorded Intensity VII in Tulunan, Cotabato, Kidapawan City; Sta. Cruz, Matanao, Bansalan and Magsaysau, Davao del Sur.

Intensity VI was recorded in Tampakan, South Cotabato, then intensity V in General Santos City; Tupi, South Cotabato; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and intensity IV in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. Robina Asido/DMS