Strong aftershocks continue to jolt Central Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - Strong aftershocks continued to jolt parts of Central Visayas yesterday, nearly a month after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the region, state seismologists said.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the tremor measuring magnitude 4.5 occurred at 1:21 p.m. and was centered at 31 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

It was felt at Intensity V in San Isidro, Bohol and Mandaue City, Cebu; Intensity IV in Cebu City; and Intensity III in Lapu-Lapu City and Calape, Tagbilaran and Loboc, Bohol.

Solidum said there were no reports of damage or injuries from the quake.

The Phivolcs chief also allayed fears of a tsunami hitting the Visayas, following yesterday’s magnitude 4.5 tremor.

“Phivolcs did not issue a tsunami warning for Samar or for any other part of the country. No threat of tsunami exists for the Philippines as of the time of release of this message,” Solidum said.

Reports of tsunami hitting Samar scared many residents in the province who are still recovering from Super Typhoon Yolanda.

A magnitude 7.2 quake hit Bohol last Oct. 15, leaving more than 200 people dead. Phivolcs had warned that aftershocks could last for months.