Three strong quakes hit Philippines

MANILA: A trio of strong earthquakes damaged buildings and caused panicked tourists to flee a popular dive resort near the Philippine capital on Saturday, officials and eyewitnesses said, reports AFP.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the quakes, the strongest of which hit the coast close to Mabini, a resort town south of Manila famous for its marine life and coral reefs.
The first 5.5-magnitude temblor struck inland at 3:08 pm (0708 GMT) followed by a 5.9 quake just a minute later, according to a revised report by the US Geological Service. The first quake was earlier reported as 5.7 magnitude.
A 5.0 quake hit in the same region after another 20 minutes, according to US geologists.
"I was in the pool taking diving lessons when the ground shook.... We all climbed out and ran. Concrete slabs were falling," Filipino tourist Arnel Casanova, 47, told AFP by telephone from a Mabini dive resort.
"When I went back to my room the ceiling had collapsed and the glass windows were broken, but so far everybody is safe," said Casanova, who was at the resort with his 20-year-old son.
He said resort guests remained outside the damaged buildings more than an hour later as the area was hit with aftershocks.

 

Three strong quakes hit Philippines

MANILA: A trio of strong earthquakes damaged buildings and caused panicked tourists to flee a popular dive resort near the Philippine capital on Saturday, officials and eyewitnesses said, reports AFP. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the quakes, the strongest of which hit the coast close to Mabini, a resort town south of Manila famous for its marine life and coral reefs. The first 5.5-magnitude temblor struck inland at 3:08 pm (0708 GMT) followed by a 5.9 quake just a minute later, according to a revised report by the US Geological Service. The first quake was earlier reported as 5.7 magnitude. A 5.0 quake hit in the same region after another 20 minutes, according to US geologists. I was in the pool taking diving lessons when the ground shook.... We all climbed out and ran. Concrete slabs were falling, Filipino tourist Arnel Casanova, 47, told AFP by telephone from a Mabini dive resort. When I went back to my room the ceiling had collapsed and the glass windows were broken, but so far everybody is safe, said Casanova, who was at the resort with his 20-year-old son. He said resort guests remained outside the damaged buildings more than an hour later as the area was hit with aftershocks.