Strong quake jolts Eastern Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 rattled parts of Eastern Visayas yesterday, but authorities said no damage or injuries were reported.

The tremor, which occurred at about 10:48 a.m., was felt at Intensity 5 – classified as strong by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) – in Salcedo and Mercedes towns in Eastern Samar. 

It was felt at Intensity 4 or moderately strong in Lawaan and Intensity 3 in Borongan, Guiuan and San Julian all in Eastern Samar as well as in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte and Catbalogan, Samar. 

Phivolcs said the epicenter of the quake was located two kilometers northwest of Salcedo, Eastern Samar.

The tremor was not expected to generate aftershocks, the agency said.