Magnitude 7.2 quake strikes Central Visayas

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - A magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Tuesday struck provinces in Central Visayas and some parts of Mindanao.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake's epicenter was traced at two kilometers of Carmen, Bohol.

The quake, which struck at 8:12 a.m., struck at a depth of 33 kilometers.

The quake was felt at Intensity 7 in Tagbilaran, Bohol; Intensity 6 in INigaran, Negros Occidental and Intensity 5 in Iloilo City and La Carloca in Iloilo.

It was also felt at Intensity 4 in Masbate City, Roxas City, San Jose Culasi in Antique and Guihulngan in Negros Oriental and Intensity 3 in Davao City.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said in a radio interview that the quake lasted for 30 seconds.

He said that massive damage to structures particularly old establishments is expected in a major earthquake.

Solidum said that the massive amount of energy released by the movement of the faultline in Carmen, Bohol could damage weak structures in the region and those in the coastlines where ground is soft.

"Kapag magnitude 7 to 8 ang category, ang tawag po natin diyan ay major earthquake. Sa ganoong lakas ng enerhiya na inilabas, posible talagang malakas ang naramdaman hindi lang sa Bohol pati na sa karatig na probinsya tulad ng Cebu, lalong lalo na kung malambot ang lupa," Solidum said in a separate radio interview.

"Sa ganitong intensity puwedeng magkaroon ng mga damage ang mga bahay at iba ay posible ngang bumagsak kung ang disenyo ay hindi akma o mahina na ang building versus doon sa malakas na paghanig," he added.

Initial reports said that several structures in Cebu and Bohol, including old churches and establishments, collapsed after the major earthquake.

Solidum said that Bohol will be hit by aftershocks for a week. As of this posting, at least seven aftershocks have been recorded in the province.

He cited that weak aftershocks were experienced during the 6.9 magnitude quake in Negros Oriental last year.