The movement, of 7.3, occurred at a depth of 17 kilometers, but according to the United States it was 10. Although at the close of this edition there was no tsunami warning, the earthquake produced a series of “big waves” that caused fear in the population.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 shook the Philippines on Tuesday nightin the on from Asia.
At the close of this edition, the authorities have already raised the number of deaths from one to four, there is talk of 16 injured and damage to hundreds of buildings, roads and infrastructure.
The movement was recorded in northwestern Luzon Islandwhere the capital, Manila, is located.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS for its acronym in English) until 07:45 five followingshocks between 4.7 and 5.2 had been registered.
The Minister of the Interior, Benhur Abalos, reported at a press conference, granted alongside the country’s president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., of the death of two people in the province of Benguet, one in Abra and another citizen in La Montaña.
He also confirmed the 16 injured, but did not provide further details regarding their health or rescue operations.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 17 kilometers according to Philippine authorities, also affected some 15 cities and caused severe damage to at least 179 buildings, 29 roads and three bridges.
For his part, the USGS placed the earthquake at a depth of 10 kilometers and regarding 12 kilometers east of the town of Dolores, with regarding 32,500 inhabitants.
Philippine Interior Minister: “We might expect significant damage”
“Due to the magnitude of the earthquake, we are talking regarding a big earthquake and we might expect significant damage”Abalos pointed out to the press, which took place at the Malacañan presidential palace in Manila.
The shock, recorded during the night of Tuesday, was also felt in the capital, where it surprised residents who had to evacuate some buildings as a precaution.
Likewise, classes in the cities of Baguio, Laoag and Vigan, among other cities in the north of the island of Luzon, have been suspended, while thousands of people have been evacuated to schools and public centers in fear of new tremors.
“Big waves” and damage to historic buildings
The earthquake also produced a series of “big waves” due to tremors in the sea, although the Philippine emergency service ruled out the possibility of a tsunami..
Various historic buildings in Vigan, the best preserved Spanish colonial city in the country and a UNESCO heritage sitewere seriously damaged by telluric movements, including its 17th century cathedral, as reported to Efe from the local emergency service.
In videos published on social networks, you can also see the fall of stones and rubble from the bantay watchtowerin the province of Ilocos Sur, built by the Spanish in 1590 for the sighting of pirates and invaders.
The Bell Tower of Laoagbuilt by the Augustinians in 1612 in this city in the province of Ilocos Norte, has been destroyed by the earthquake, Senator Imee Marcos said in a message to local media.