Strong earthquake with a 7.1 magnitude hits the northern Philippines; felt most intensely in Manila

The earthquake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km and around 11 km southeast of the town of Dolores, was not immediately reported to have caused any significant injuries or fatalities.

Abra province's hospital was evacuated when the facility partially collapsed as a result of the earthquake, although no casualties were indicated, according to officials.

Abra governor Joy Bernos posted photos of the damaged Abra provincial hospital on her Facebook account which showed a gaping hole in the front entrance facade.

Other photos showed hospital beds, including one with a patient, wheeled across the road and evacuated hospital staff.

“We are still experiencing aftershocks. We have received reports of damages to houses. But so far no casualties,” said Mayor Rovelyn Villamor in the town of Lagangilang in Abra province.  

“We don’t have power supply because that’s automatically cut off due to danger,” 

Mr Renato Solidum, director of the state seismology agency, told DZRH radio station, said strong aftershocks were expected. 

“The focus of attention is on Abra and nearby provinces. This is a major earthquake," Mr Solidum said, adding that landslides had been reported in some parts of Abra, particularly in the town of Manabo.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered the immediate dispatch of rescue and relief teams to Abra, his press secretary said on Wednesday. Mr Marcos Jr will also fly to Abra.

Abra, home to nearly 250,000 people, is a landlocked province in the northern Philippines. Its deep valleys and sloping hills are enclosed by rugged mountains.

Mr Eric Singson, a congressman in the northern Ilocos Sur province, told DZMM radio station the quake had been felt strongly.  

“The earthquake lasted 30 seconds or more. I thought my house would fall,” said Mr Singson.  

“Now, we are trying to reach people... Right now there are aftershocks so we are outside our home,” he added.  

The quake was also felt in Manila, where the city's metro rail systems were suspended during rush hour and numerous buildings were evacuated, with some individuals being forced to leave the 30th floor of one building.

The seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire," a ring of volcanoes and fault lines that arcs around the edge of the Pacific Ocean, is where the Philippines is situated, making it vulnerable to natural calamities.

Earthquake ~M7 shakes northeastern #Luzon Philippines #EarthquakePH