The Office of Civil Defense-Caraga Region said as reported by local media the six casualties were caused by falling debris and collapsed walls. It confirmed that 13 of dozens of injured victims rushed to emergency rooms were in serious condition. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismologyö 24 aftershocks were recorded since the strong quake Friday evening, with magnitudes ranging from 2.0 to 3.6.
April Rose Sanchez, civil defense information officer, said that a total of 108 people had been injured in the quake but that no one has yet been declared missing. The earthquake victims were brought to Caraga Regional Hospital. MindaNews quoted Junelito Abrazado, Surigao Civil Aviation Authority manager, as saying the strong quake damaged the runway of the city's airport.
The quake struck Surigao City at approximately 10 p.m. local time (1400GMT). It was also felt in other cities and towns in southern and central Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor hit at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and registered a magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter scale, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Among the buildings destroyed was the Surigao State College of Technology that had its façade collapse. A bridge also was on the verge of collapse, which threatened motorists who dared to cross. Philippines is prone to earthquakes as it lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.
In 2013, 222 victims were killed and centuries-old buildings churches were destroyed in a powerful magnitude-7.2 quake that struck the central province of Bohol.