1 reported killed in Benguet due to quake —NDRRMC spox

One person was reportedly killed following the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Abra and other areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, on Wednesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

According to NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal, a construction worker in La Trinidad, Benguet, was reportedly killed due to fallen debris.

The information is "still being checked" by the local government, said Timbal.

The earthquake, which was felt at 8:43 a.m. and was tectonic in origin, caused no damage to dams in the affected regions, Timbal added.

Timbal said NDRRMC is currently coordinating with its local counterparts in Region 1, 2, Cordillera Administrative Region, 3 and Metro Manila to assess the extend of the damage.

"Assessment continues as of now but some areas have sustained damages to public and private structures," he said.

Timbal assured the public that there are sufficient relief stockpiles prepositioned in the affected regions to support local relief efforts undertaken by local government units.

NDRRMC chairperson and Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. is now at the council's operations center to coordinate with disaster officials of the affected regions, Timbal also said. —KBK, GMA News