Magnitude 7 earthquake hits Abra, Philippines

On Wednesday, July 27, a magnitude 7 shocked the northern island region of the Philippines, with the epicenter located in the province of Abra.

The earthquake was initially calculated by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) to have a magnitude of 7.3. As per Philvocs, the earthquake struck at 08:43 AM at a depth of 25 kilometers. The agency also warned residents of aftershocks.

The quake has brought despair, destructions, and deaths to the province of Abra and nearby provinces.

In a statement, Abra Representative Menchie “Ching” Bernos confirmed serious damages on homes, public and private buildings and even of heritage structures.

“I urge everyone to stay alert and to prioritize safety in light of the possibilities of aftershocks that might be felt after that strong earthquake. We are monitoring the situation on the ground and gathering information on the extent of the damage to the province,” the representative said.

Bernos reassured residents that she’s working with the province’s local government unit to aid the victims.

“My office is also actively coordinating with proper authorities on what can be done to assist families and communities that were severely affected by this earthquake” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that at least four were reported dead and dozens of others were injured.

As per the records of Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philvocs Director Renato Solidum Jr. shared that the last strong earthquake that hit the country was the quake in Masbate, located in the fifth region of the Philippines, in August 2020.

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p class=”MsoNormal” style=”text-align: justify”>Philippine President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos vowed prompt response in the unfortunate situation left by the quake.

Photos from Google