8 dead, 60 injured after

twin earthquakes struck Batanes

The 5.4 magnitude quake that hit Itbayat, Batanes on Saturday totally destroyed the belfry of the Nuestra
Señora Santissimo Rosario Parish which has withstood strong typhoons but powerless against the recent
earthquake. Courtesy: Batanes LGU

Eight people are confirmed dead while 60 were injured after a 5.4 and 5.9 earthquakes rocked
Batanes on Saturday (July 27).

Authorities said that among the casualties include a 5-year-old baby and an 89-year-old man.

There are no major structural damage reported in the area except for the Nuestra Señora Del Rosario
bell tower. There is also a total power shutdown in the area.

A total of 11 evacuation centers are already set up in the area.

The 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck 21 km. northeast of Itbayat had a depth of 7 km. The 5.4
magntitude earthquake, meanwhile, 12 km. northeast of Itbayat and had a depth of 12 km.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also reported several aftershocks.

Intensity VII was felt in Itbayat, Batanes, while Intensity V was felt in Basco. Batanes. Intensity IV
was felt n Sabtang and Ivana.—AAC

Manuelle John G. Viduya

Grade VII – St. Catherine