Magnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes off Batanes

 (UPDATED on May 26, 2023 at 7:17 a.m. to reflect latest information from Phivolcs.)

MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 5.6 earthquake was recorded off Batanes on Thursday night, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The recent Batanes earthquake was detected at 9:48 p.m., with its epicenter traced some 33 kilometers northeast of the town of Itbayat.

The earthquake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 15 kilometers, Phivolcs said in an updated earthquake bulletin.

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Its bulletin also indicated that Intensity III or weak vibrations were felt in Itbayat, Batanes; Intensity II or slightly felt vibrations in Basco and Mahatao, Batanes; and Intensity I or scarcely perceptible vibrations in Ivana, Batanes

State seismologists said no damage is expected due to the temblor but warned of aftershocks.

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