Abra earthquake injures 131, says NDRRMC

PHOTO: office of Abra Rep. Ching Bernos via Julie Aurelio/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMC) on Thursday said the number of injuries reported following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Abra on Wednesday is now at 131.

Meanwhile, four people were verified to have been killed by the earthquake, according to NDRRMC’s latest disaster primer.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal earlier said five were killed by the earthquake. He later clarified that the fifth death is still being verified.

The number of affected individuals, meanwhile is now at 12,945 or 3,456 individuals — all of whom are from the Ilocos Region.

The report added that 1,248 individuals from the Ilocos Region were preemptively evacuated, while 567 have been displaced by the major earthquake.

A total of 28 road sections and bridge sections have also been affected by the quake, 68 percent of which remain unpassable.

In terms of damaged infrastructures, NDRRMC said 17 were reported damaged with an estimated cost of damage of P33,800,000.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier warned of aftershocks over the next several days and even up to months.

As of 7:00 a.m., Thursday, Phivolcs said it has recorded a total of 808 aftershocks that range from magnitude 1.5 to 5.0

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/MUF