A 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the northern Philippines, forcing people to flee buildings in the country’s capital, Manila.
Key Points:
- The earthquake occurred 10 kilometers underground
- Some areas have reported landslides and tremors were felt more than 430 km away in Manila
- The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes
Officials said hospitals and homes were evacuated but there were no injuries from the strong quake, which was centered around a mountainous area in Abra province.
Rovelyn Villamor, mayor of Lagangilang in Abra province, said the town was without electricity because the supply had been automatically cut off “due to danger”.
“We are still experiencing aftershocks,” Villamor said.
“We have received reports of damage to houses, but at the moment there are no victims.”
The provincial hospital in Abra was also damaged, with a gaping hole in the wall of the main entrance near the roof.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered rescue and relief teams to be sent to the area immediately and announced that he would fly to the epicenter of the earthquake.
Despite the material damage, the citizens came out of the earthquake unscathed. (AP: Raphiel Alzate)
Scientists at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology say there have already been a number of aftershocks, and more were expected.
The strong tremor caused cracks in businesses and houses and was felt in the capital Manila, more than 430 km away.
The quake lasted about 30 seconds, Congressman Eric Singson told DZMM Radio.
Among the buildings damaged by the earthquake were businesses. (AP: Raphiel Alzate)
“I thought my house was going to fall down,” Mr Singson said.
“We’re trying to get to people right now. There are aftershocks right now, so we’re out of our house.”
Some towns closer to the earthquake have reported landslides. No tsunami warning has been issued.
The United States Geological Survey measured the strength of the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.0 at a depth of 10 kilometers.
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The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.
It is also prone to about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990.
ABC/AP/Reuters