Morning of February 6, Monday, a strong earthquake jolted some areas in Visayas, specifically Negros Oriental. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.9 which is enough to elicit an intensity 7 effects.
As of 7:00 PM, at least 7 people were confirmed dead, particularly in Negros Oriental. Initial reports also stated that 26 people are still missing. Most of the casualties were due to landslides which was reported to have occurred in La Libertad at Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. The rescue mission by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other authorities, though still on going, has become very difficult when the night has fallen.
The epicenter of the quake was recorded to be somewhere in the middle part of the Negros Island, near Guihulngan.
Aside from the 6.5-magnitude quake, several aftershocks were felt in various areas in the Visayas and Mindanao within the day. Some areas where aftershocks were confirmed were at Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City. The strongest aftershock was felt in Cebu, with a magnitude of 6.5. According to Philvolcs, 157 aftershocks has been recorded, and around 50 of these were felt in Negros Oriental.
The Tsunami Alert Level 2, which was initially raised, was cancelled. Thus, the residents can go back to their respective houses tonight. However, residents in the area should stay alert because the Philvolcs announced that there will be a continuous occurrence of aftershocks for at least a week.
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