Philippines: Magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurs in Luzon at around 22:59 PHST Oct. 25 /update 2

Event

Disruptions are ongoing following a magnitude-6.4 earthquake in Cordillera Administrative Region at around 22:59 PHST Oct. 25. Authorities have suspended operations at Laoag International Airport (LAO) through at least Oct. 27 due to damages to the runway.

The quake injured at least 26 people in Ilocos Norte Province. Authorities evacuated patients from the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac City, Ilocos Norte Province due to damages. Several structures were damaged in the town of La Paz, Abra Province. Reports indicate that two towns in Cagayan Province temporarily lost power due to damaged power lines.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 11 km (7 miles) east-northeast of Dolores. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 15 km (9 miles), and light-to-very-strong shaking was probably felt in parts of Luzon. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides