Worker dies, 6 others hurt as earthquake shakes roadside hill in Kalinga

A construction worker died while his six companions were injured after a magnitude 7 earthquake hit a roadside hill at Sitio Bullalayao, Barangay Pantikian in Balbalan town, Kalinga province, on July 27. (Photo courtesy of PNP-Balbalan)

TABUK CITY, Kalinga—A man died and six others were injured when the magnitude 7 earthquake struck while they were placing wire mesh over a hillside area along a road in Balbalan town, Kalinga province, on Wednesday (July 27) morning.

Major Garry Gayamos, Kalinga police spokesperson, identified the fatality as construction worker Jefferson Basar, 24, a native of Quezon City.

Basar was declared dead on arrival at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital.

“They were atop the hill when the earthquake took place. Basar and his fellow workers fell to the ground. Basar’s head probably hit the pavement,” Gayamos told the Inquirer.

Those injured were identified as Kelwayne Pultz, 22; Joseph Gullipis, 37; Arris Ammogawen, 27; Christian Tongdo, 32; Shan Adrian Tebon, 24; and Renato Manlapaz Jr., 32.

They were taken to the Kalinga Western District Hospital for treatment. INQ

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