National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management executive director Ricardo Jalad confirmed there were eight people dead while 60 others were injured after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake jolted Itbayat, Batanes before dawn on Saturday.
Based on the information gathered by Bombo Tuguegarao, the victims were identified as Eva Valiente, 19; Fiona Valiente, 13; Genward Mina, 31; Teresita Gulaga, 76; Fausta Caan, 70; 5-day old baby Haisly Cheffe Naquita and Tito Asa, 80.
Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and Mayor Raul De Sagon of Itbayat, Batanes reported that number of casualties were expected to go up.
The pre-dawn quake was followed by a stronger 5.9 magnitude tremor at 7:37 a.m. Strong aftershocks have kept people in the main streets, some felt in this capital town on Saturday morning.
The evacuees are now staying at a plaza in fear of aftershocks.
Mayor De Sagon added that residents were sleeping when their houses collapsed in Brgy. Santa Maria. He also said that identities of the victims were still being investigated due to lack of doctors in their town.
Gov. Marilou Cayco instructed to airlift other injured victims to be treated in Basco, Batanes.
As per Phivolcs, there were no signs of tsunami after the strong quake.
USGS data shows that there has been a build up of tremors beginning on July 19 with a 4.5 quake 100 km north of Itbayat, and a 4.9 temblor west of Itbayat on July 22. It says a 4.9 magnitude rocked the islands 106 km east of Basco on July 23 while 4.6 intensity quake was recorded 122 km Southwest of Hengchun in Taiwan./ with reports from Bombo Tuguegarao; edited by Bombo Sol Marquez.
