Earthquake Rattles Southern Philippines

Facts

• According to the Philippines' Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Sarangani in Davao Occidental province at 4:14 p.m. local time on Friday.¹
• On Saturday, the death toll from the earthquake — which the US Geological Survey ranked at a magnitude of 6.7 — was reported as seven, with 32 people hospitalized and at least two others still missing.²
• According to the German Research Center for Geosciences, the earthquake struck off the island of Mindanao at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles), damaging municipal buildings and a gymnasium, knocking out electricity, and injuring dozens in Glan.³
• A crane on top of a high-rise building fell to the ground in Davao City, while parts of a roof collapsed at a shopping center in General Santos.⁴
• Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, located on the 'Ring of Fire' — a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean, vulnerable to seismic activity.⁵

Sources: ¹PTV, ²The New York Times, ³Reuters, ⁴Independent and ⁵Time.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by BNN Breaking. The rapid response of the Philippines, its neighboring countries, and international organizations shows the world's strong commitment to solidarity concerning natural disasters. This is nothing new in the Philippines, which endured a deadly 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2013, but it's a hopeful sign that any time tragedy strikes, the entire world is ready to lend a hand.
• Narrative B, as provided by PIA. The Philippines is no stranger to these disasters and takes them very seriously. However, with a history of so many deaths from quakes in the Intensity VI/VII range, the real possibility of an earthquake as high as Intensity VIII would destroy the country and its post-pandemic recovering economy. To best prepare, there needs to be more drills practiced and infrastructure built.

Predictions