At least 2 dead, 72 injured in Leyte quake

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed that two were killed and 72 others were injured following a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Ormoc City, Leyte on Thursday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded a total of 241 aftershocks from magnitude 1.5 to 4.3 as of 5 a.m. on Friday.

READ: Magnitude 6.5 quake hits Leyte

NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said that a great part of Eastern Visayas including Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Samar are experiencing power outage following the earthquake.

Marasigan encouraged the public to stay off the roads as aftershocks may trigger landslides.

"Ang aftershocks ay maaaring magdulot ng problema. Ang mahalaga, kalmado tayo pero alerto," Marasigan said in a televised press briefing.

A total of 72 injured persons were reported in Kananga, Ormoc City and Carigara in Leyte while six persons were rescued from a collapsed three-storey building in Kananga.

Marasigan noted that the number of injured individuals is expected to go up.

According to the NDRRMC, two classrooms of the Bienvenido Celbre National High School in Brgy. Uguiao in Jaro, Leyte sustained cracked wall.

A landslide incident was also reported in Mt. Amandiwing in Jaro, Leyte. Classes in all levels have been suspended in Tacloban City and Ormoc City.