Thousands of people evacuated swaying buildings as a powerful earthquake struck near Manila today (Monday, April 22).
The magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck at 5.11pm at a depth of 30km with an epicentre 65km northwest of the nation’s capital.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had earlier pegged the quake at magnitude 5.7 before revising it upwards.
The quake was felt across much of central Luzon including Taguig City and Pampanga province.
Social media has been inundated with accounts of the tremor.
One witness said: “I did hear some glass breaking outside our house and there were other people screaming and frightened.
“I did have some experiences on earthquake occurrences but this might be the first time that I was terrified of what might happen to us. It was quite long actually and that made it even worse.”
Another witness said:”Building swayed quite scarily. Almost lost my footing while walking. No breakage/tumble. Estimate two waves, second stronger. About 15-20 secs altogether.”
One wrote: “Inside the car in the 3rd level parking floor. The car was dancing on its suspension. Some shaking felt for about 2 minutes then subsided. Now building siren blaring.”
There have been no reports of any casualties so far but Phivolcs has warned that aftershocks and damage are expected.
UPDATE: Two children have died in separate neighbourhoods of Porac, Pampanga. The victims were aged three and seven years old.
Meanwhile, at least 40 people are trapped in a collapsed supermarket tin the town.
UPDATE: According Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, the death toll in the town has risen to at least five after at least two buildings collapsed.
UPDATE: Operations at Clark Airport have been suspended for 24 hours and flights cancelled. More details here.
The following intensities were recorded:
- Intensity V – San Felipe, Zambales; Malolos and Obando, Bulacan; Quezon City; Lipa, Batangas; City of Manila; Abucay, Bataan; Valenzuela City; Magalang, Pampanga
- Intensity IV – Pasig City; Makati City; Caloocan City; Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Villasis, Pangasinan; Tagaytay City; Villasis, Pangasinan; Baguio City; Marikina City; Las Piñas City
- Intensity III – Dasmariñas, Indang, and General Trias, Cavite; Lucban, Quezon; Muntinlupa City; Cabanatuan City, Palayan City, Gapan City, Santo Domingo and Talavera, Nueva Ecija
- Intensity II – Baler, Aurora
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