On the island of Mindanao, one of the southernmost islands of the Philippines, communities have felt the effects of two powerful earthquakes rated over 6.0 magnitude in the past three days.
Mid-morning, local time, on Oct. 31, a powerful earthquake struck one kilometer south of Kisante, Philippines. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), this earthquake registered as a 6.5 on the Richter Scale.
Such a magnitude was enough to cause major structural damage across places like Davao City and Kidapawan City.
At least five people were killed in Thursday's earthquake, according to the Associated Press. This news comes after at least eight people were killed, and nearly 400 people were injured, in Tuesday's 6.6 magnitude earthquake.
Eva's Hotel stands damaged after a strong earthquake in Kidapawan, north Cotabato province, Philippines, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. The third strong earthquake this month jolted the southern Philippines on Thursday morning, further damaging structures already weakened by the earlier shaking. (AP Photos/Williamor Magbanua)
The Eva Hotel took on some damage during Tuesday's quake. However, the lobby collapsed in Thursday's earthquake while six employees and and an engineer were inside inspecting the initial damage. All seven people were able to escape the building.
The back-to-back earthquakes are being attributed to even more widespread damage. Some structures, weakened by the Tuesday earthquake, were more susceptible to tumbling down in Thursday's powerful quake.
According to Reuters, Phivolcs is advising that residents remain outside of their homes. The fear is that unstable or partially damaged homes and offices could tumble in an aftershock, even if it's less powerful.
This as left hundreds of people displaced, living in tents out in the tropical conditions.
According to CNN Philippines, all private and public schools in Davao City have been suspended through Nov. 4. Several other cities and towns hit hard by the quake were suspending schools and office work.
Not only is Thursday's earthquake the second of two major quakes in just three days, but also the third 6.0 magnitude or greater earthquake in 15 days. The first major earthquake of October took place on Oct. 16 and had a magnitude of 6.3, killing at least seven people.
