Twin tremors jolt Ilocos Norte

Two successive strong earthquakes rocked Ilocos Norte and environs on Sunday night, July 5 while Typhoon Egay battered the province at signal No. 2.

A magnitude 5 tremor occurred at 8:56 pm, six kilometers southeast of Batac City, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Many people dashed into the streets and open outdoors as tall buildings swayed during the tremor that lasted about 18 seconds.
It was felt at intensity 4 in Vigan City and Paoay, Ilocos Norte; intensity 3 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Baguio City, Abra and Ballesteros, Cagayan; intensity 2 in Tuguegarao, Aparri and Apayao and intensity 1 in Dagupan City.

After 15 minutes, the second temblor (after shock) was recorded by Phivolcs at magnitude 4.3. It occurred at 9:12 p.m., two kilometers northwest of Marcos, Ilocos Norte.

DSWD provincial officer Lilian Rin told reporters that the quakes slightly damaged a portion of a brick house in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte . No injuries were reported.

Several families from the coastal barangays of Masintoc and Callaguip in Paoay, Ilocos Norte also evacuated to safe ground for fear of a tsunami. (tsg)