Powerful 7.1 earthquake hits northern Philippines, felt in the capital
Image Credit: Twitter
Manila, The Gulf Observer: The shallow but powerful quake struck the mountainous and lightly populated province of Abra on the main island of Luzon at 8:43 am (0043 GMT), the USGS said, after initially measuring the quake at 6.8 magnitude.
Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage than deeper ones.
In Dolores, which felt the full force of the quake, terrified people ran outside their buildings and windows of the local market were shattered, Police Major Edwin Sergio told AFP.
“The quake was very strong,” Sergio said, adding there were minor cracks in the police station building.
“Vegetables and fruits sold in the market were also disarranged after tables were toppled.”
A video posted on Facebook and verified by AFP showed cracks in the asphalt road and ground in the nearby town of Bangued, but there was no visible damage to shops or houses.
A number of people were injured in Bangued and taken to hospital for treatment, police chief Major Nazareno Emia.
University student Mira Zapata was in her house in San Juan town when she felt “really strong shaking”.
“We started shouting and rushed outside,” she said, as aftershocks continued.
“Our house is ok, but houses down the hill were damaged.”
