7.1 magnitude earthquake hits northern Philippines

A robust 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippine island of Luzon on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey mentioned, badly damaging a hospital and buildings in a northern province and sending robust tremors via the capital, Manila.

A hospital in Abra province was evacuated after the constructing partially collapsed following the quake, however there have been no casualties reported, mentioned officers.

“We are still experiencing aftershocks. We have received reports of damage to houses. But so far no casualties,” mentioned Mayor Rovelyn Villamor within the city of Lagangilang in Abra province.

“We don’t have power supply because that’s automatically cut off due to danger,” Villamor informed DZRH radio.

The public data workplace of Abra province posted images on its Facebook web page exhibiting buildings badly broken, with partitions with large cracks crumbling.

USGS mentioned the earthquake’s epicentre was about 11 km (six miles) east-southeast of the city of Dolores and occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles).

“The focus of attention is on Abra and nearby provinces. This is a major earthquake. We expect strong aftershocks,” Renato Solidum, director of the state seismology company, informed DZMM radio station.

Eric Singson, a congressman within the northern Ilocos Sur province, informed DZMM radio station the quake had been felt strongly.

“The earthquake lasted 30 seconds or more. I thought my house would fall,” mentioned Singson.

“Now, we are trying to reach people …. Right now there are aftershocks so we are outside our home.”

The quake was additionally felt in Manila and town’s metro rail system was halted at rush hour after the quake, the transport ministry mentioned.

The senate constructing within the capital was additionally evacuated, media reported.

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