The magnitude 6.8. earthquake that hit Davao Occidental on Friday, November 17, has left damages in several malls in General Santos City.
Netizens on social media shared videos showing how strong the earthquake was, causing panic among all the people inside the establishments.
In a video shared by Inggok Greggy on Facebook, people are screaming and praying while inside a mall in General Santos City. Debris are falling apart, and objects from above were wiggling.
TINGNAN: Nakuhanan ng 'video' ang lubos na pagkatakot ng mga tao sa isang mall sa General Santos City matapos yanigin ng magnitude 6.8 lindol ang Sarrangani, Davao Occidental, Biyernes ng hapon. | DZRH News
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 17, 2023
Sa pag-iingat #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
📷: Inggok Greggy pic.twitter.com/YdNCJLOpWq
Photos shared by Antonette Paguntalan Sandigan on Facebook showed Robinsons Gensan was utterly damaged as its ceiling collapsed.
TINGNAN: Robinsons GenSan lubos na napinsala dulot ng magnitude 6.8 na lindol | DZRH News
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 17, 2023
Sa pag-iingat #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
📷Antonette Paguntalan Sandigan pic.twitter.com/JE7BFpH9VK
Meanwhile, based on the photos shared by Rollie Vivas Morales, SM City General Santos was also devastated when debris from the ceiling fell out.
LOOK: Magnitude 6.8 na lindol nag-iwan ng pinsala sa SM City General Santos | DZRH News
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 17, 2023
Sa pag-iingat #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
📷Rollie Vivas Morales pic.twitter.com/Sz7uQ9j2qT
In an interview with Edgar Yago, Sarrangani Police spokesperson, said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and PNP are currently monitoring the areas affected.
Yago said no casualties have been reported yet.
"Wala pang reported na namatay. Meron lang ilan na inaalalayan sa daan kasi nahilo sila. Sa ngayon, patuloy ang ating pagiikot," the officer said.
Based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (PHIVOLCS) report, the epicenter of the earthquake was located at 05.37°N, 125.15°E, and 030 km S, 81°W of Sarangani (Davao Occidental) at a depth of 10 km.
Aftershocks and damage should be expected, according to the state seismologist.
