Rescue operations in Porac, Pampanga were put on hold earlier this morning after a 4.5 magnitude aftershock hit the nearby Zambales province.
The earthquake happened at around 2:02am in Castillejos, Zambales, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). It comes less than 48 hours after a 6.1 magnitude quake hit the same region. In its bulletin, the PHIVOLCS identified today’s quake as tectonic and an aftershock from the Monday quake.
Those working to rescue people from the rubble of the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac reportedly stopped operations when they felt the earthquake this morning, Radyo Inquirer reported. According to Rappler, five people have been found dead on the site since the Monday quake.
The total death toll in Luzon has also risen to 16. Seven other casualties were in other parts of Porac, two were in Lubao, Pampanga, one was in Angeles, Pampanga, and one was in San Marcelino, Zambales.
While the earthquake was felt in many parts of Luzon including Metro Manila, Pampanga was the most affected. The province has been placed under a state of calamity, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda told the media yesterday.
There have been close to 600 reported aftershocks since the Monday, ABS-CBN News reported, although many were minor ones that went by unnoticed. The one that occurred this morning was felt in many parts of Luzon as well, including Metro Manila, but the highest recorded intensity was only placed at 3. The PHIVOLCS describes Intensity 3 as:
“Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately.”
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake also hit parts of Visayas island yesterday but the PHIVOLCS has said that this is unrelated to the Luzon quake.
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