A strong earthquake rocked the northern Philippines on Wednesday morning, killing at least four people, injuring dozens and damaging more than 100 buildings across the region.
The 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit Abra County at 8:43 am. Local time, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The US Geological Survey recorded that the quake had a magnitude of 7 and a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles).
There have been reports of landslides and power outages in North Luzon. The earthquake hit about 15 towns and 280 villages and left several roads impassable.
The earthquake was felt in the capital, Manila, but it was stronger in the north, affecting the northwestern Ilocos region and the Mountain Province, north of the tourist city of Baguio. Churches and historic buildings were damaged.
In a video clip, parts of the century-old Pantai bell tower in Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur, fell as spectators ran to a nearby park.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he plans to visit the affected sites on Thursday. "We are making sure that there is an appropriate response to the needs of our citizens affected by this disaster," he said in a statement.
The Philippines lies along the Ring of Fire, a route around the Pacific Ocean known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The archipelago, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is also frequented by typhoons.
According to the US Geological Survey, 11 earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater occurred within 250 kilometers (155 miles) of the current quake. The deadliest earthquake was the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in 1990 that killed more than 1,600 people and injured 3,000.
The state is also forecasting a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, known locally as the "Big One," when a 100-kilometre (62-mile) fault line cuts through the Manila region. The authorities say the last mistake occurred in 1658 and could cause "great devastation" in the metropolitan area when it moves again.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Marcus said he would support the creation of a new disaster response department. "I don't like to say it, but it looks like it's going to be more frequent," he said, referring to disasters and extreme weather events. “We need more capacity than we currently have.
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