7.3 magnitude quake damages walls, cut power lines in northern Luzon

This retaining wall near a residential area at Barangay Poblacion in San Isidro town, Abra province was damaged by the 7-3-magnitude quake that jolted a large part of Luzon on Wednesday morning. (Contributed)

BAGUIO CITY—Residents in this city and other parts of Luzon rushed out of their homes Wednesday morning after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Abra province, causing severe ground shaking that damaged walls and cut power lines in several areas.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake epicenter was located 2 kilometers southwest of Abra’s Lagangilang town and had a depth of 25 km.

In Abra’s San Isidro town, a retaining wall near a residential area in Barangay Poblacion was damaged. Power interruptions were also reported in the area and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

In Pampanga province, employees of offices leasing space in One West Tower in Clark Freeport rushed out to escape the earthquake.

Governor Dennis Pineda immediately advised Pampanga residents to watch for aftershocks. Local disaster officials were monitoring other areas for damage. INQ

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