Northern Philippines shaken by strong earthquake, 2 killed, dozens injured

At least two people were killed in a 7.3-magnitude earthquake off the Philippines' main island of Luzon on Wednesday. Also 30 others were injured. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) confirmed the death of one person in Benguet province in the northern Philippines. Local officials also reported that at least five people were injured in Benguet province.

Abra province governor Jocelyn Bernos said a 25-year-old man was also killed in the quake in the city of Bangued. He told a local radio interview that at least 25 people were slightly injured in the quake, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhivolCS) said the 7.3-magnitude quake struck at 8:43 a.m. (0043 GMT) in Abra province in the northern Philippines.

The Institute first reported its magnitude as 7.3 and the epicenter of the quake was the city of Lagangilang.

The quake was felt in several areas on the main Luzon island, including Metro Manila, where high-rise buildings were flooded and rail transport was suspended. It was also felt in several provinces including Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite.

In the capital region, panicked workers ran out of buildings at several offices, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Josep Bernos, mayor of La Paz city in Abra province, said the quake had damaged several concrete houses, buildings and infrastructure in the province. "I have received reports that there is massive damage in our province," he said in a radio interview. He said some buildings in Abra University were also damaged.

Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos will visit the region on Wednesday. This information was given by his press secretary Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angels.

Fevolks chief Renato Solidum warned that tectonic earthquakes could be followed by tremors and landslides. He urged people and local government officials to be vigilant.

"Make sure to inspect buildings for cracks and keep an eye out for landslides, especially when it rains. He also urged villagers to leave the areas prone to landslides," he told a press conference.

On July 16, 1990, northern Luzon was shaken by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that caused a crack in a 125-kilometer road that stretched from Aurora Province to Nueva Vizcaya, killing about 1,200 people and destroying many buildings and buildings. Homes were damaged.