Over 1,000 aftershocks recorded so far after Abra earthquake — PHIVOLCS

More than 1,000 aftershocks have been recorded so far after the magnitude 7 earthquake in Abra, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.

In an update to the July 27 northwestern Luzon earthquake, PHIVOLCS said a total of 1,071 aftershocks have been detected in the affected areas as of 10 a.m.

The highest intensity felt due to the earthquake was Intensity VII.

It was experienced in Abra towns including Tayum, Bangued, Bucay, Bicloc, Dangals, Dolores, La Paz, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Luba, Malibcong, Manabo, Penarrubia, Pilar, Sallapadan, and San Juan.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Timbal said some affected residents are camping outside their homes due to the threat of aftershocks.

“Nagkaroon din po ng deployment ng mga tent para may matuluyan yung mga kababayan natin sa open spaces dahil itong nakalipas po tuloy pa rin po yung aftershocks na nangyayari doon sa area,” he said.

(We had deployment of tents so the affected families may have shelter in open spaces because aftershocks have been ongoing in the area.)

On Thursday, PHIVOLCS chief Renato Solidum said incidents of aftershocks are expected to continue in the next several weeks.

“We expect aftershocks to continue for several weeks, pero the first three days po ang marami and hopefully, pababa na siya,” Solidum said during a briefing with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Abra.

(We expect aftershocks to continue for several weeks, but there will be more in the first three days and hopefully, it will decrease.) — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News