Philippines - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2002/0056
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Philippines - Earthquake
6 March 2002

This report is based on information provided by the Philippines National Disaster Co-ordination Council, obtained through the UNDP Office in the Philippines and the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor for Asia in Kobe, Japan, as well as information from the IFRC and media reports.

1. A strong earthquake occurred off the coast of the Philippines' island of Mindanao, approximately 75 miles (120 km) west of General Santos City, affecting the south-western coast of the island. Its origin time was 5:16 a.m. on March 6 2002, local time (or 21:16 p.m. on March 5 2002, GMT). According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, with the epicentre situated at latitude 6.10 degrees north and longitude 124.15 degrees east. Other geological monitoring sources put the magnitude of the earthquake slightly lower. Two aftershocks of 4.8 and 5.0 magnitude have been reported so far.

Situation and Losses

2. The Philippines National Disaster Co-ordination Council has already provided two initial assessment reports. They indicate that the earthquake caused damages in the four provinces close to the epicentre. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people have evacuated to higher ground as a precautionary measure for fear of a tsunami. But the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has not issued any warning. Four deaths have been confirmed so far but news reports talk about 11 people dead. Up to 10 people have also been reported injured in General Santos City and South Cotabato Province.

3. Regarding the damage caused to infrastructure, some 18 houses have been reported damaged so far. In Karanadal City, a ferry bridge, an elementary school and buildings were affected. In Cotabato City, the provincial hospital and the market place suffered cracks. In General Santos City, a High School, a hotel, the Philippines National Police Headquarters, water tanks and buildings slightly collapsed. In the South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Provinces, two churches, a health centre and a public market totally collapsed. General Santos City and the Province of South Cotabato suffered from a black-out and water interruption caused by the fall of electrical posts and water pipes. But power has already been restored in Cotabato City and other parts of the province. Landslides have also been reported across the area affecting the road network, which has also been damaged by cracks.

National Response

4. Provincial Social Welfare Offices in the affected areas are still conducting rapid damage and needs assessment. The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is continuously monitoring for after-shocks.

5. The Disaster Response Teams of the Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC) have been dispatched to the affected area to assess the needs of the population. All PNRC Chapters are mobilised in case of possible after-shocks.

General Information

6. No request for international assistance has been received by OCHA to date.

7. OCHA is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Manila and the Philippines National Disaster Co-ordination Council and will revert with further information if the situation warrants it.

8. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. R. Müller / Mr. K. Quiding / Ms. M. Spaak/ Ms. C. Cassabalian
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3131 / 1769 / 71728/ 1173

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32