Injuries reported in Abra after powerful quake; no numbers yet — PDRRMO

The medical staff and patients at the Abra Provincial Hospital rushed outside as a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the province on Wednesday morning. The quake damaged the hospital. (Photos from Facebook page of Abra Vice Gov. Jocelyn Bernos)

MANILA, Philippines — Injuries were reported in Abra following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that hit the province on Wednesday morning, Abra’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported.

Alvin Mar of Abra’s PDRRMO, who is in the province’s capital of Bangued town, said their office has yet to inspect the different areas in the province.

With the PDRRMO still yet to give the number of those hurt, Mar said “many” have sustained injuries from falling debris.

“As of now, hindi pa namin napasyal ‘yung ibang barangay. Marami kasi ditong mga casualty na mga victims… Sugatan, mga nabagsakan ng mga debris,” Mar said in an interview with Radio 5.

(As of now, we have not visited the barangays. There are a lot of casualties, injured due to falling debris.)

Meanwhile, Arnel Garcia of Abra’s PDRRMO said some victims were brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital.

Garcia said a temporary medical area was established in an open space outside the hospital to treat victims. He said the victims cannot be brought inside the hospital to ensure their safety with the building possibly being damaged.

“Negative pa yung account sa casualties but as of now, nandito kami sa ospital ng Abra Provincial Hospital for augmentation kasi yung mga patients natin na naapektuhan, meron tayo dito,” Garcia said in the same interview.

(We still do not have an account on the casualties but as of now, we are here at Abra Provincial Hospital for augmentation since victims affected were brought here.)

/MUF