Powerful earthquake hits northern Philippines, kills four
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Almost 400,000 people were displaced, and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the northern Philipines.
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A powerful earthquake hits the northern Philippines.
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing one person, shattering glass at the epicenter, and rocking high-rise towers in Manila, more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) away.
The US Geological Survey revealed that the shallow but powerful quake struck the hilly and sparsely inhabited province of Abra on the main island of Luzon at 8:43 am (0043 GMT).
It is worth noting that shallow earthquakes are more destructive than deeper ones.
Earthquake in Philippines damaged Bantay Watch Tower pic.twitter.com/bE8O8XBlix
— * (@anthraxxx781) July 27, 2022
A man falls victim
At least four people have died and 60 others were injured.
"The quake was very strong," Police Major Edwin Sergio said, adding that there were small cracks in the police station building.
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"Vegetables and fruits sold in the market were also disarranged after tables were toppled."
A video released on Facebook and authenticated by AFP showed fissures in the asphalt road and ground in Bangued, the adjacent province capital, however, there was no evident damage to residences or businesses.
#BREAKING: A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit #Lagangilang #Abra caused many damages.
— Ummah Watch (@ummahwatch) July 27, 2022
Intensity 4 was felt in #QuezonCity and tremors in parts of #Luzon. #earthquake #philippinesearthquake #philipines pic.twitter.com/3vUjuE4pDU
However, a number of injured persons were rushed to hospital in Bangued, according to police head Major Nazareno Emia.
"Some of the buildings here show cracks. Power was cut off and internet as well," he added.
Congressman Ching Bernos, who represents Abra's solitary district, stated that the quake "caused damages to many households and establishments" but provided no further details.
Strongest recorded quake
The earthquake on Wednesday was the strongest recorded in the Philippines in years.
"Some of our personnel were pruning branches so they had to climb down immediately after they felt the strong shaking," said Pangasinan provincial police chief Colonel Richmond Tadina.
Centuries-old structures established during the Spanish colonial period were damaged in Vigan City, in the neighboring province of Ilocos Sur.
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The Bantay Bell Tower in the popular tourist destination partially collapsed, according to verified video footage posted on Facebook.
"We can't rule out the possibility of another strong earthquake," said Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Almost 400,000 people were displaced, and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
The tremendous quake affected the island's terrain, as a "ground rupture" pushed up a three-meter strip of ground, producing a rock wall above the epicenter.
