by Isabella Magno

On Wednesday, July 27, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, felt even up to places in Metro Manila, struck Northern Luzon which led to the suspension of train services in the area. 

The suspension of the railway operations affected the routes of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit System Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and 2), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

“Normal operations will resume after technical personnel certify all tracks are safe and passable,” MRT-3 management said in an advisory. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially announced that the quake that struck at 8:43 a.m. had a magnitude of 7.3, but then lowered it after further analysis. 

Moreover, PHIVOLCS said the epicenter of the earthquake was traced 2 kilometers northeast of Lagangilang, Abra. 

The earthquake was felt at Intensity IV in Quezon City, which is generally characterized by “moderately strong” shaking that can be felt by people indoors and some people outdoors. 

On other areas

Landslides and infrastructural damages occurred in several affected areas, including some heritage sites in Ilocos Sur. 

A “forced evacuation” of all residents situated in coastal villages in the province was done in the same municipality.

“That’s a major earthquake. Anything larger than Magnitude 7 can be devastating,” PHIVOLCS chief Renato Solidum said as he told the public to be aware of possible aftershocks and further damages.

Photo from Abra Rep. Ching Bernos